Sensitivity, Specificity and Cutoff Point of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised in Diagnosis of Learning Disorders

This research aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and cutoff point of the revised version of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) in diagnosis of learning disorders. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design and multistage cluster sampling, 45 students with learning disorders and 45 students without learning disorders completed a demographical data questionnaire and WISC-R. The data was analysed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The cut point 89 can differentiate children with learning disorders in 94.1% of cases with sensitivity of 71.1% and specificity of 95.6% (p<0.05). Likewise, a score of 44 in Verbal subscale, was differential in 86.7% of cases with sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 86.7% (p<0.05). A Performance subscale score of 44 was differential in 87% of cases with a sensitivity of 44.4% and specificity of 93.3% (p<0.05). WISC-R can be used to devise diagnostic checklists for learning disorders in children.