Using the WISC‐R to identify Attentional Deficit Disorder

The purpose of the present research was to test the utility of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐Revised (WISC‐R) subscales in differentiating between children with Attentional Dificit Disorder (ADD) and children with other problems. Twenty‐four children with ADD and a control group of 19 children with behavioral/emotional disorders were identified on the basis of historical background and intake interview. The results indicated that scores on three WISC‐R subscales—Arithmetic, Digit Span, and Coding—were significantly lower among the ADD group. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.