Profile stability involves the consistency of a set of scores over time. That is, does a profile of scores change on retesting and does this change affect clinical decisions? While psychologists routinely examine the reliability of individual scores, little research has examined the stability of a profile or set of scores. The first study described in this paper examined potential measures of profile stability using a simulation computer program. The results suggest that several measures show promise in this context, particularly Cattell's coefficient of pattern similarity (r(p)), salient variable similarity index (S), and the D(2) coefficient. In the second study, selected measures of profile stability were applied to Wechsler test-retest data. The results suggest that profiles composed of IQ and index scores demonstrate acceptable stability and can be usefully interpreted in clinical and research situations. However, subtest score profiles are inherently less stable and provide little useful clinical information.

The present study presents a normative typology for classifying the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) factor index profiles according to profile shape. Q-type principal components analysis of the WISC-III factor index scores identified four profile shapes that were replicated in independent samples. The typology provides good coverage with between 80-85% (depending on classification rule) of participants with significant profile scatter being assigned to a profile type. An initial attempt to establish external validity indicated that the classified participants display dissimilar patterns of performance on independent variables. The current analyses indicate that overall profile level accounted for a majority of the variance in WISC-III index scores, but a considerable proportion of the variance was because of differences in profile shape. As a result, factor index profiles appear to present a viable level of analysis for research and clinical use. The present typology is compared with typologies developed with other clustering procedures. Although the profile types described in this study are likely to generalize to comparable samples of normal children, it is likely that additional profile types exist that characterize clinical populations.

A sample of 175 veterans' scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS; Randolph, 1998) was examined to investigate the factor structure of this scale. First, we attempted to replicate a five-factor model to reflect the five Index Scores of the RBANS (immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, language, attention, and delayed memory) from the 12 individual subtests, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We were unable to identify a five-factor structure of the RBANS. The RBANS subtests were then subjected to an exploratory factor analysis with a maximum likelihood extraction and orthogonal rotation to determine a new dimensional model. Results indicated a two-factor structure that can roughly be described as memory and visuospatial function. CFA of this new structure indicated an adequate fit for this sample. Findings suggest that it may be appropriate to place more emphasis on the individual subtest scores than the index scores during interpretation.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the Bicycle Drawing Task and a number of neuropsychological variables, including the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, in a heterogeneous group of older adults referred for a dementia evaluation. The sample consisted of 91 participants with a mean age of 77.0 yr. (SD = 6.4). The correlations between scores on the Bicycle Drawing Task and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and supplemental cognitive measures were generally in the moderate range. The Bicycle Drawing Task was not significantly related to premorbid IQ or education. As a neuropsychological measure, the task is brief, easily explained, easily scored, and well-tolerated by patients. Results suggest the Bicycle Drawing Task may be a useful screening procedure for cognitive impairment that is not significantly related to education or premorbid ability.

Neuropsychological data are reviewed from two sets of dizygotic twins presenting with selective mutism characterized by situation specific anxiety, extreme passive behavior, lack of responsivity, lack of peer interaction, and a chronic course of selective mutism. Both sets of twins had a history of prematurity and delayed speech development. One set of twins presented with normal intelligence and normal receptive language skills but with expressive language and oral motor sequencing difficulties. The second set of twins presented with Verbal IQ deficits and significant receptive and expressive language deficits. A summary of current conceptualizations regarding etiology and treatment of selective mutism is provided.