Evaluation of the validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Third Edition comprehension and picture arrangement subtests as measures of social intelligence

Clinical lore suggests that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Third Edition (D. M. Wechsler, 1991) Comprehension and Picture Arrangement scores may be used as indices of social intelligence. This study evaluated this supposition by comparing these subtest scores with mother- and teacher-reported social functioning in 142 children with ADHD and 30 control children. After general intelligence was partialled out, the Comprehension subtest related to some aspects of social functioning, but the clinical significance of this was limited. The Picture Arrangement subtest was unrelated to social functioning, once general intelligence was controlled. These findings were consistent across study groups.