The original WPPSI (Wechsler, 1967) was developed as an intelligence measure for 4-6:6yr olds in response to an increasing need for the assessment of preschoolers.
Measures of Processing Speed have also been taken from the WISC-III, adapted for use with younger children and included as new subtests (Coding & Symbol Search).
The WPPSI can be used in several ways, for example: The clinical utility of the WPPSI-III can be improved and a richer picture of general function achieved when combined with other assessments.
The Wechsler tests can also be used to identify intellectual giftedness, and are commonly accepted as qualifying evidence for high-IQ societies, such as Intertel and Mensa.
[3] There are claims that some commercially available materials improve results simply by eliminating negative factors through familiarization which in turn puts children at a comfortable frame of mind.
[full citation needed] The relationship between the WPPSI-III and the WPPSI-R, WISC-III, BSID-II, DAS, WIAT-II and CMS was also explored in order to evaluate the assessment's reliability.
A number of special group studies were also carried out during standardisation in order to improve the clinical utility of the tool.
These studies included children with intellectual disability, developmental delay, language disorders, motor impairment, ADHD and those classed as gifted.