Kelly is a 5-year-old with hearing impairment and an intellectual disability; she uses minimal speech and signs. Which measure of general intelligence is most appropriate to use with Kelly?

• A. Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT)
• B. WISC-V
• C. Stanford-Binet
• D. Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)

Answer: (A)

When assessing overall intelligence in a child with hearing impairment and limited speech, it’s essential to use a measure that minimizes language demands. The Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test is designed to evaluate general cognitive ability without relying on spoken language, using nonverbal reasoning tasks like pattern recognition and spatial problem solving. This makes it the most valid option for Kelly, whose communication challenges could otherwise distort IQ scores.

The other options are less suitable here. The WISC-V and Stanford-Binet include verbal components, so language understanding and production can unduly influence the score, potentially underestimating true cognitive ability. The WIAT measures academic achievement, not general intelligence, so it wouldn’t provide a general cognitive index.