Compares the capability of three kindergarten screening instruments to correctly predict which children (n=95) would be recommended for referral to remedial programs or for retention: a Piagetian-based instrument, a general screening test, and a language-specific screen. Although the Piagetian-based test had poor predictive qualities, both the…

This article describes a pilot and follow-up study of the development of a screening test for Asperger Syndrome (AS) and relates social and communication conditions in children aged 4-11. Results suggest that the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test may be useful for identifying children at risk for AS and related conditions, in a mainstream…

Two studies evaluated the 10-question Nylander questionnaire as a screening test for autism among adults in British psychiatric hospitals. Both studies found high inter-rater reliability and no false negatives, but the studies resulted in an unacceptably high rate of false positives. (Contains 3 references.) (DB)

Students identified as gifted who also display one or more areas of disability remain under-identified both in special and gifted education programs. All too often school personnel do not have the resources necessary to make decisions about this unique group of students commonly called the twice-exceptional. The purpose of this article is to…

Five formulas for identifying discrepancies for eligibility as learning disabled (LD) were applied to 137 children (ages 6-14) already diagnosed as LD. Among results cited was that 64 percent were not identified as LD by any formula. Issues concerning the use of discrepancy formulas for LD screening are discussed. (Author/JW)

Analysis of 621 peer-peer items in the zero to six year age range from 54 assessment tests revealed such results as that over one-third of the items featured social participation, and that problems were found with the tests' ability to identify peer-peer deficits and to provide a framework for intervention. (MC)

Evaluated the predictive validity of the Yellow Brick Road Test (YBRT) relative to performance in reading as measured by the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT). A full prediction-performance comparison matrix was employed to compare three different cutoff scores for kindergarten-aged children (N=214). Concluded that the YBRT is moderately valid.…

This article describes hearing screening procedures and discusses implications and limitations of passing screening tests, being referred for rescreening, and failing the test. Follow-up intervention and evaluation that may be needed for children with hearing loss are discussed, and practical advice for professionals involved with screening and…

Three studies with approximately 600 children were conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the three measures of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile. Findings support the use of the profile as a screening and evaluation tool for identifying children with developmental delays at 12 to 24 months of age.…

The Draw-a-Person Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance was evaluated with 39 deaf children, ages 9 through 12, who were divided into 2 groups: emotionally disturbed and not emotionally disturbed. Group mean scores were not significantly different; more than half the subjects in each group were misclassified using the procedure. (Author/DB)

The validity of the subscales of the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior in an institutional population was examined by correlating these scores with the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and programmatic measures. Results support previous research on Reiss total score validity, though…

This study found a significant relationship between the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) in 63 youth at a psychiatric hospital. A multiple regression equation was derived to provide an estimate of the WISC-III Full Scale Intelligence Quotient using the composites of the K-BIT.…

Presents data on the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, a 27-item checklist for completion by lay informants when assessing symptoms characteristic of Asperger syndrome and other high-functioning autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents with normal intelligence or mild mental retardation. Reliability and…

A study involving 570 individuals with mental retardation developed the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems, an assessment designed to identify feeding problems presented by persons with mental retardation, and thus facilitate the process of identifying who would benefit from some type of behavioral or medical intervention. Psychometric data are…

Voice range profiles (VRP) were analyzed according to 11 frequency, intensity, and morphological characteristics for 94 typical children and 136 children with vocal fold pathologies (ages 6-11). Normative data are presented showing marked differences between the groups. The use of the VRP Index for Children for screening is discussed. (Author/CR)