DEPICTING THE NOOMETRIC PROFILE OF TODDLERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN THE WECHSLER PRESCHOOL & PRIMARY SCALE OF INTELLIGENCE – THIRD EDITION (WPPSI-ΙΙΙ)

Abstract

By presenting noometric tests to toddlers and young children, it is possible to depict the personal profile of every student and to designate their individual learning abilities and difficulties. The aim of this research is to determine the noometric profile of high–functioning toddlers in the Autism Spectrum, as depicted by the WPPSI-III intelligence test. A multi-methodological approach was followed for the methodological design of the paper, followed by the administration of the noometric tool to 116 toddlers who have received the relevant diagnosis and the conducting of semi-structured interviews with 105 special education kindergarten teachers who support the students in a pedagogic environment. The results of the research revealed, among other things, that the noometric abilities of infants with high-functioning ASD are lower compared to those of typically developed infants. In particular, toddlers with autism were found to have a significant statistical weakness in the knowledge of every day - practical issues, in the evaluation and use of empirical data and in the grasping of conventional rules of behavior as well as in the rate of cognitive processing. The specific findings reinforce the necessity of early intervention and individualized support in toddlers with autism targeting the above deficits.  Article visualizations: