Programs to identify young children with special learning needs should incorporate ongoing classroom observation and provide educationally relevant information rather than labels. The early identification procedure used in London (Ontario) for students in kindergarten through grade three uses a school program team to assist the classroom teacher…

The health care provider functioning in an organized preschool setting can play a vital role in the early identification of the gifted child. The health professional can make a unique contribution in this area as well as being alert for the potential health problems the child may have. (Author)

Literature on identification of gifted preschoolers and infants is discussed, including difficulties in attempting to identify potential giftedness in very young children, the importance of early identification, and identification methods currently available or in use. Research that shows promise for use with preschool and infant schoolchildren is…

The digest addresses issues related to preschool gifted and talented children. Such a child is defined as one who functions significantly above average age level in language development, thinking skills, creative thinking skills, physical adaptability, social skills, and/or leadership. Early identification is viewed as important, and the use of…

Four unresolved issues and research needs in central auditory processing disorders in children are addressed: (1) early identification through screening; (2) relationship between test battery results and auditory behaviors; (3) relationship between test battery results and therapy planning, and (4) new assessment procedures. (Author/CL)

The description of one student's experiences illustrates the need for early identification of, and programming for, gifted students. Factors influencing the reluctance of classroom teachers to identify young students as gifted are discussed, and mental models are introduced as the underlying reason for this resistance. Suggestions for change are…

Reviews the language basis of reading disabilities and provides a checklist of language deficits frequently associated with reading disabilities. Areas assessed include: word retrieval, verbal memory, speech production, comprehension, expressive language, and speech sound awareness. The checklist is designed for early identification of reading…

The Abridged Health History Inventory (AHHI) has been used by public health nurses to promote early identification of children at risk for learning problems. The AHHI, based on adapted material from the system of Multi-Cultural Pluralistic Assessment, has shown modest reliability and validity as well as utility. (CL)

This article first reviews early social and communication indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants and toddlers. It then reviews evidence-based intervention practices for children with ASD and identifies principles for providing intervention for infants and toddlers at risk for ASD. Issues addressed include providing intervention in…

This article considers the extent to which Child Find procedures discussed in the literature are responsive to families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Discussion of the legal basis for Child Find activities targeting these young children and challenges in early identification of children from diverse backgrounds is…

Intended for professionals and parents, this monograph focuses on the service needs of young children with cerebral palsy. Section I presents an overview of cerebral palsy, including etiology, incidence, and history of management. Section II describes service needs in the following areas: prevention; early identification; treatment; the…

This paper reviews the characteristics and needs of students with high functioning autism. First, it lists 18 common characteristics of autism, then it stresses that autism is defined by the general pattern of characteristics. Next, it discusses how people with high functioning autism differ from those with autism. These differences include higher…

This paper describes the need for and effectiveness of a functional screening and initial assessment system for behavior problems among preschool children, called the Early Screening Project. Critical factors in the assessment of young children with behavior problems include measuring the frequency and intensity of problem behaviors relative to a…

This document provides guidelines for preferred practice for the Child Identification Process for Colorado children, birth through five years of age. The guidelines were developed to be flexible and adaptable in support of individual community needs and in recognition of the variable resources throughout the state; however, the basic underlying…

The article focuses on giftedness in preschool-age children, including: the importance of early identification of giftedness, identification methods, techniques for providing a nurturing environment in the home, needs of parents of gifted children, and school programs for serving the gifted. A bibliography of relevant books and periodicals is…