Predicting IQ of biologically "at risk" children from age 3 to school entry: Sensitivity and specificity of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale IV

Predictive validity of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition (S-B IV) from age 3 years to ages 4-5 years was evaluated with biologicall y "at risk" children without major sensory or motor impairments (n = 236). Using the standard scoring, children with full scale IQ less than or equal to 84 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence at age 4- 5 years were poorly identified (sensitivity 54%) from the composite S-B IV score at age 3. However, sensitivity improved greatly to 78% by including a s a predictor the number of subtests the child was actually able to perform at age 3 years. Measures from the Home Screening Questionnaire and ratings of mother-child interaction further improved sensitivity to 83%. The stand ard method for calculating the composite score on the S-B IV excludes subte sts with a raw score of 0, which overestimates cognitive functioning in you ng biologically high risk children. Accuracy of early identification was im proved significantly by considering the number of subtests the child did no t perform at age 3 years.