Drawing on Alfred Adler's theories on the effect of birth order on maladaptive behavior in children, this study focused on the relationship between birth order and the referral to counseling of school-aged children with maladaptive disorder. School-aged children (N=217) with academic or behavioral problems, ages 5 to 18, were referred to the staff of a regional interdisciplinary center for evaluation during a 5-year period. Each child was evaluated by specialists in each of the three disciplines represented in the center: (1) speech, language, and hearing; (2) reading; and (3) counseling. On the basis of staff recommendations, the subjects were placed in either a counseling group (Group I) or a no-counseling group (Group II), and designated either first-born, middle-born, or last-born. Data on family structure (intact, single-parent, and blended); parents' family background; socioeconomic status; and number, age, and sex of siblings were also gathered. All predictors were simultaneously entered into a multiple regression equation for stepwise analysis. Although none of the predictors was found to vary significantly, the study results support previous findings that more males and first born students are referred to clinics for behavior and academic problems. A unique formula for family density is presented, and recommendations for further study and refinement of birth order studies are offered. References are included. (TE)