This study examined the relationship between psychiatric and language disorders in 96 youth (mean age 13) in a private psychiatric hospital. Over 33% of subjects exhibited significant deficits in both phonology and syntax, qualifying for a language learning disability diagnosis, but only 44% of this group were receiving special education services…

This comparison of regression discrepancy model results for learning disability identification used published IQ-achievement and reliability coefficients and generic, mean values. Use of mean IQ-achievement values resulted in higher discrepancy rates for a clinical sample. Use of both mean IQ-achievement and reliability values resulted in higher…

A literature review identified behaviors representative of the normal stages of communication, cognition, and vocalization in children's prelinguistic period. Results were organized as a checklist for assessment of at-risk infants. The checklist is recommended for monitoring infant development, supplementing formal screenings and diagnostic tools,…

This study of the effects of child age (20 and 40 months) and level of developmental delay (mild and severe) on identification of developmental disorders by 155 family practice physicians provided evidence that identification of developmental delay was generally high across conditions, with mild delay being less likely to be detected. (Author/JDD)

This article addresses the need for very early identification of hearing loss; summarizes federal and state government involvement in early identification of hearing loss; compares common screening methods; explains the use of Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) with newborns; reviews existing TEOAE screening programs; and urges…

Practical considerations concerning arena assessment of infants and young children who are at risk for developmental problems or have disabilities are addressed. This transdisciplinary, family-centered approach is described in terms of appropriate settings, the importance of establishing rapport with the child, assessment procedures, family…

Past, present, and future concerns regarding the definition of learning disabilities (LD) are documented. Research on efforts to clarify the LD label is discussed, including the questionable utility of the discrepancy model. An approach is presented for operationalizing the definition of LD of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities.…

Relationships among state identification rates for serious emotional disturbances and economic and demographic variables were explored. Variation in per pupil revenue explained about one-fourth of the variance in identification rates. States differed significantly based on region, elementary and secondary expenditure, per pupil revenue, and per…

Adolescents (n=26) whose depressive symptoms increased from ages 11 through 13 were compared with matched control participants (n=26) whose depressive symptoms remained low over the same period. Symptoms could be predicted at age 11 from self-perceptions, self-evaluation, loneliness/social dissatisfaction, perceived number of friends, and…

This article reviews the structure, development, function, and assessment of the visual system and then considers: common eye problems of young children with visual impairment; impacts of severe impairment on child development; and the roles of early intervention professionals, ophthalmologists, and pediatricians in working with these children and…

Provides an overview of how early identification and intervention for hearing impairment may benefit deaf infants' acquisition of symbolic language. Concludes that the role of the caregiver is central to the planning and success of early intervention programs for infants with deafness. (MDM)

Two studies found that the "First Step to Success" early-intervention program for at-risk kindergartners could be replicated successfully, that educators who participated in the First Step training sessions rated the quality of the training highly, and that about half of those trained actually went on to implement the program. (Author/CR)

This study compared four commonly used vocabulary tests to screen or identify preschool children for specific language impairment (SLI). Four- and five-year olds with (N=31) and without (N=31) SLI were compared on the tests. Despite moderate to strong inter-test correlations, no test was a strong identifier of SLI. (Author/DB)

A study explored classroom reading assessments, IQ and achievement scores, and placement decision of 26 students referred to Student Study Teams for intervention and determination of special-education eligibility. Congruence was moderate between placement decisions and discrepancy-based determination of learning disabilities and between placement…

This study compared the development (at 40 months) of 40 deaf and hard-of-hearing infants whose hearing loss was identified either before 6 months or after 18 months. Infants whose hearing loss was identified earlier scored significantly on tests of expressive language and comprehension/concepts. Results support early hearing screening for…