Predictive value of infant intelligence scales with multiply handicapped children.

The predictive value of infant intelligence scales with multiply handicapped children was investigated through the administration of a mental measure on two occasions to 28 children, divided into two age groups. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient of .69 (p less than .001) was obtained for the younger group and .83 (p less than .001) for the older group. When subjects were divided according to IQ level, a nonsignificant correlation coefficient was obtained for the high-IQ group and a significant correlation (r=.81, p less than .001) for the low-IQ group. These results indicated that infant intelligence tests are highly reliable predictors of later intellectual development when given to a population of multiply handicapped children.