The relationship between spina bifida children's intelligence test scores on school entry and at school leaving: a preliminary report

Abstract

Summary Very high correlations are reported for Wechsler Intelligence Test scores taken at 5, 10 and 16 years, indicating that, for the majority of spina bifida children, very reliable predictions regarding intellectual status at 16 years of age can be made upon entry to school. Intelligence test scores of spina bifida children show statistically significant correlations between 18 months and 5 years of age, even when different intelligence tests are used (Fishman & Palkes 1974). Very high correlations between test scores have been reported also over a 5‐year period during schooling (Tew & Laurence 1974). Stability rather than variability of test scores appears to be true also for children with hydrocephalus only (Laurence 1969), but the long term reliability of IQ scores for spina bifida children remains unknown.