THE APPLICABILITY OF THE KAUFMAN ASSESSMENT BATTERY FOR CHILDREN (K-ABC) WITH OLDER ADULTS (50+ YEARS) WITH MODERATE, SEVERE AND PROFOUND INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT

To define the intellectual characteristics of a population of older pe ople (50+ years) with severe intellectual impairment who were the focu s of a wider demographic study, participants were assessed on the Kauf man Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Test material was modifie d to make it age-appropriate and culturally suitable. Of the 122 peopl e in the population [chronological age (CA)=63.5 years; range 50-90 ye ars], 61 were successfully tested on the K-ABC (CA=60.9 years; range 5 1-81 years). Factor analysis closely replicated the factorial structur e demonstrated for younger children. Separate Sequential and Simultane ous Mental Processing factors were identified, with subtests from the Achievement Scale loading on these factors and not constituting a sepa rate factor. Application of hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed th e factor structures. Inferences in relation to cognitive development f rom a Piagetian perspective are drawn, and the utility of information on mental processing for educational intervention with older persons w ith severe intellectual impairment is noted.