The Child Development Review (CDR) combines parents' and pediatricians' observations to monitor the development and adjustment of infants and young children. The method includes a questionnaire completed by parents, systematic professional observation, and pediatrician-parent discussion. Research on the CDR in well-child care, a preschool…

This article addresses implementation of the British Code of Practice, which provides guidelines for the identification, assessment, and service provision of children with special educational needs. It covers the school-based stages of assessment, statutory assessment, the annual review, the role of child health and social services, and parents as…

A naturalistic probe of early language content was administered to 31 normally developing preschool children. The productivity of 3 different strategies for eliciting 27 content categories was tested and the efficiency of the probe technique compared with analysis of language samples. Results suggest this nonstandardized, criterion-referenced…

The performance of reading-disabled, math-disabled, slow-learning, under-achieving, and normal-achieving children (total n=143) was compared on verbal and visual-spatial working memory measures under initial, gain, and maintenance testing conditions. Ability group classifications changed under dynamic testing conditions. The study demonstrated the…

Because eligibility for speech-language services often is based on the relationship between the child's cognitive ability and language performance, this study examined the agreement of measurement practices used in the cognitive referencing model of eligibility determination. Administration of 5 measures to 26 preschool children with delayed…

This investigation compared the performances of 24 African American children (mean age 6) with language impairments (LI) to typically developing African American peers on five traditional informal language assessment measures. Performances of the LI children were significantly lower on all measures than typically developing peers. Implications for…

A study involving 335 normally achieving children and 88 children with learning disabilities or mild mental retardation attending prekindergarten or kindergarten found that three of ten tasks of a cognitive screening test provided the best classification: semantic information/visual, semantic information/verbal, and rhyming tasks (prekindergarten)…

A study employed mixed effects regression growth curve analysis to assess the developmental course of discrepant (n=51) and nondiscrepant (n=89) poor readers identified in third grade and retested in fifth, eight, and twelfth grades. Discrepancy status did not differentiate the developmental course of basic reading skills or reading comprehension.…

This article presents an approach to a variety of syndromes and patterns of language disorders in bilingual speakers and polyglots. This framework demands that in neuropsychological analysis, all the variables and dynamics of bilingual development have to be taken into consideration, along with details of the neurological syndrome. (Contains…

The term "pilot study" has been used over the years to describe the evaluation of the many elements involved in deciding whether a proposed condition should be added to a newborn screening (NBS) panel, and until recently, was unilaterally used to describe the evaluation of the assay to be used before the condition was officially adopted by a state…

This 40-minute instructional video illustrates the unique benefits of play therapy for children who have been physically or sexually abused. It describes how play activities fit into the reparative process and provides helpful pointers for practice. The uses of art supplies, the sandtray, puppets, dollhouse, masks, and more are highlighted.…

This guide outlines the process of screening preschool-age children in North Dakota to determine their need for special education services. As mass screenings were found to lack cost-effectiveness, selective screening is encouraged. A periodic selective screening process, using a coordinated, interagency approach, is recommended for the earliest…

This paper reviews issues surrounding the use of discrepancy in identifying learning disabilities. Since 1976, it argues, discrepancy has been the primary criterion for defining learning disabilities in practice. In a psychometric and statistical sense, however, issues about the best means for calculating a discrepancy remain problematic. Another…

This briefing paper provides answers to frequently asked questions about special education. It is divided into sections addressing student evaluation, special education eligibility, writing an Individualized Education Program (IEP), re-evaluation, and other special education issues. Specifically, information is provided on: (1) the purpose of…

This article discusses using "PEPSI", a screening and programming method that evaluates the physical, emotional, philosophical, social, and intellectual levels of development in children with disabilities. The steps in the PEPSI screening process are described and a case study is provided. A chart depicting indicators in teaching respect for self…