NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG-ADULTS WITH SPINA-BIFIDA

The purpose of this study was to examine neuropsychological profiles f or patients with spina bifida. The sample consisted of 37 subjects wit h spina bifida between the ages of 14 and 23. Each of the subjects was seen individually and administered the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsycholog ical Test Battery as well as the appropriate Wechsler Intelligence Sca le. Scores from the Halstead-Reitan were subjected to cluster analysis to formulate clinical subtypes. The results indicated a three group s olution was most appropriate, which appeared to reflect a continuum of dysfunction. Implications for rehabilitation programming are discusse d.