WISC-R factor structure in a referred pediatric population

The factor structure of the WISC-R was examined with a large metropolitan pediatric clinic population of referred children. The robustness of the two-factor solution, which parallels the verbal-performance dichotomy, was supported for a group of non-LD children (n = 272) and, with the exception of the Coding subtest, for a cohort of LD children (n = 155), as well as with the entire pediatric population (n = 427). Kaufman's (1975) three-factor solution was applicable only for the LD cohort. The validity and utility of the factor analytic model for interpreting the WISC-R were supported and extended to include a pediatric referred population. Cautious interpretation of the third factor, however, is recommended on the basis of the present results, as well as those of other investigations.