We examined the interrelationships among symptoms related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using a large representative sample and clinical groups of children aged 6 to 11 and youth aged 12 to 18 years rated by parents (N = 1,881) or teachers (N = 2,171). The samples included individuals from the United States and Canada from the standardization…

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the eight-item Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA)-mini and its validity in relation to the 72-item version DESSA. The sample included teacher ratings for 1,234 children in kindergarten through eighth grade who comprised the standardization sample. The median alpha reliability…

Although the five-part diagnostic criteria of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision" (DSM-IV-TR) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are behavioral and descriptive in nature, this condition has increasingly been defined as a disorder resulting from impaired behavioral inhibition…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) was reauthorized by the U.S. Congress in 2004, yet ongoing regulatory efforts are required to determine its operationalization and implementation. Of particular concern to school psychologists and others involved in the educational process are the guidelines for identification of…

Examined normal (N=34), learning disabled (N=34), and borderline mentally retarded (N=33) children's performance on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Results revealed no significant differences between the WISC-R Full Scale IQ and K-ABC Mental Processing Composite…

Compared the restrictiveness of special education placements by profession (administrators, school psychologists, and special education teachers) and by type of handicapping condition. Professionals (N=66) assigned placement scores on the basis of three psychological reports. Results indicated that the average placement scores did not differ…

Explored the relationships of the Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-R), Peabody Individual Achievement Test, and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities in elementary students. The PPVT-R appears to be most appropriate as a brief measure of verbal comprehension, rather than a substitute for the McCarthy scales. (JAC)

Developed a system of tables to facilitate interpretation of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Presents tables that organize the McCarthy subtests according to three systems of interpretation, and organize McCarthy Scales into categories that reflect factors likely to influence various subtests. (Author/RC)

Applied an approach to the interpretation of test profiles to the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. This resulted in differences required for significance that are two points greater than those suggested by an alternate technique. (Author)

Scores on Kaufman's (1977) McCarthy short form and the McCarthy Screening Test (1978) were obtained for first graders (N=53). As follow-up nine months later, the Metropolitan Achievement Test was administered. Results showed Kaufman's short form scores usually indicated a smaller number of false negatives than did McCarthy Screening Test scores.…

Develops an alternative analysis to the Peabody Individual Achievement Tests' authors' suggested use of a pairwise comparison system to determine when one academic area is significantly different from another. Suggests determining academic strengths and weaknesses relative to a child's average performance on the entire test. (Author/JAC)

Compared the standard scores and age scores obtained from the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT)(1965) and the Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-R)(1981) with (N=88) preschool children. Results found the mean PPVT IQ and Mental Age scores were significantly higher. Discusses implications for using the PPVT-R. (Author)

Critiqued Zarske, Moore and Petersen's article examining the factor structure of the WISC-R as a measure of general intelligence for learning disabled children. Suggests this conclusion doesn't follow from the factor analytic data. Presents the response of Zarske, Moore and Petersen. (Author/RC)

Examined the relationships between the McCarthy Scales General Cognitive Index, the McCarthy Screening Test, Kaufman's McCarthy short form, and the Peabody Individual Achievement Test using a sample of elementary students. Found the Estimated General Cognitive Index by Kaufman's short form was virtually identical to the McCarthy Scales Index.…