Multidimensional Scaling of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children in a Clinical Sample Assessed for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a significant public health concern arising from prenatal alcohol exposure. This study examines the clinical utility of Wechsler intelligence tests in assessing cognition in 108 children with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. Data were analysed using multidimensional scaling and Guttman’s Structural Model of Intelligence, with a view to assessing the application of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th Edition (WISC-IV) and 5th Edition (WISC-V) in characterising cognitive ability for this clinical population. WISC-IV and WISC-V subtests exhibited distinct clustering patterns within the sample compared to normative populations. Subtests appeared to cluster based on response modality, aligning with Guttman’s Structural Model of Intelligence. The findings demonstrate an alternative interpretation approach for intelligence tests in children with prenatal alcohol exposure, which may complement existing FASD diagnostic frameworks. The clustering patterns underscore the importance of considering response modality in understanding cognitive abilities.