WISC-R Verba/Performance Discrepancy in Children with Cancer: A Statistical Quirk?

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Abstract
A 1981 study by Stehbens and his colleagues found a significantly higher rate of low Verbal%sol;high Performance IQ discrepancy (at or above 15 points) on the WISC-R in a sample of 38 newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. We examined IQ data from a sample of 45 children with acute lymphoblas-tic leukemia tested initially after diagnosis and from 24 of these children for whom 1-year retest data were available, and failed to replicate these findings. Our results indicate no significant low V/high P discrepancy pattern in these patients and, in fact, indicate a discrepancy frequency precisely in the range of that reported for a sample of physically healthy children. In addition, examination of longitudinal IQ data indicated attrition of initial discrepancy scores in all three patients for whom retest data were available. One patient developed new discrepancy upon retest. It is suggested that the findings of the Stehbens study may represent a statistical quirk or a phenomenon unique to their treatment center. The importance of longitudinal evaluation of intellectual functioning in children with cancer is emphasized.

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