Differentiating intellectual assessment of mentally disabled adults with the Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC)

The use of the Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) was evaluated with a sample of 50 mentally disabled adults in a wide age range,as there exist no special tests for this group of patients. Intercorrelation- and factor analyses, and correlations with the German adaptation of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (HAWIE-R) proved the use of the K-ABC to be valid. As an assessment battery for children designed for the wide age range from 2-6 to 12-5 years is more adequate to the capability of intellectually im paired adults, the K-ABC delivers results on individual strengths and weaknesses, based on a neuropsychological theory. Thus the individual cognitive abilities can be assessed with more differentiation, and that gives an important base for intervention, partial remediation,and placement.