A neuropsychological approach to the Bannatyne recategorization of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales in adults with learning disabilities.

An investigation was conducted of the diagnostic ability of the Bannatyne recategorization of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) into spatial, verbal-conceptual, and sequential components for adults with learning disabilities. A comparison among neuropsychological, intelligence, and achievement test data was made to evaluate the applicability of this recategorization. The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB), the WAIS-R, and the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R) were administered to 103 adult subjects with learning disabilities. The LNNB scales were cluster analyzed, and cluster membership was cross-tabulated against WAIS-R, WRAT-R, and demographic data. The major findings were that (a) the mean scores fit the Bannatyne pattern in two of the four clusters; and (b) the Bannatyne pattern was found in only about 20% of the total sample. It was concluded that identification of the Bannatyne pattern is of diagnostic utility, but its absence is inconclusive.