Characterizing and comparing adaptive and academic functioning in children with low average and below average...

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) updated performance test score labeling, categorizing children previously labeled "borderline intellectual functioning" into low average (LA; FSIQ 80-89) or below average (BA; FSIQ 70-79) ranges.
• Limited research exists on functional differences between these newly defined LA and BA groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate adaptive and academic functioning differences between children in the LA and BA full scale intellectual quotient (FSIQ) ranges.
• To compare functioning in clinically referred youth using the AACN's uniform labeling system.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 2,516 children aged 6–13 years with FSIQs ranging from average to exceptionally low was analyzed.
• Standardized measures of intellectual, adaptive, and academic functioning were administered.
• Group differences in adaptive functioning (social, practical, conceptual domains) and academic achievement were examined.

Main Results:

• The LA and BA groups showed no significant differences in overall adaptive functioning or in social and practical adaptive domains.
• The LA group exhibited slightly superior conceptual adaptive skills compared to the BA group.
• While the LA group had marginally better word reading and math computation, these academic differences were not clinically significant.

Conclusions:

• Children with LA and BA intellectual abilities in this clinical sample exhibit comparable adaptive functioning.
• Academic achievement showed slight differences, with LA performing marginally better, though not clinically meaningful.
• Both LA and BA groups demonstrated lower adaptive and academic functioning than children with average FSIQs, underscoring the importance of assessing adaptive skills across a spectrum of intellectual abilities.