This study assessed the criterion-related validity of the PDD Behavior Inventory, a rating scale to evaluate the adaptive and maladaptive behaviors of children with pervasive developmental disorders. Good correlations with five other scales confirmed the scale's validity and suggest its value in assessing treatment-related changes in maladaptive…

The article examines issues related to establishing a rationale for the use of early childhood rating scales and to selecting a rating scale using such criteria as user needs, user friendliness, scale format, score interpretation, reliability, and validity. Methods of establishing the validity of a rating scale are suggested. (Author/DB)

Comparison of results of using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist to identify mild or highly deviant behavior in 95 children (grades 3 through 6) by two regular education teachers of each child indicated little agreement between teachers. (Author/DB)

Six behavior rating scales used with children with problematic behaviors were reviewed for psychometric soundness of reliability and validity. They are: Behavior Dimensions Rating Scale; Behavior Evaluation Scale; Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form; Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale; Revised Behavior Problem Checklist;…

Individuals with developmental disability (n=400) were assessed with the "Dyskinesia Identification System: Condensed User Scale" (DISCUS), a 15-item tardive dyskinesia rating scale shortened from the "Dyskinesia Identification System-Coldwater." Based on interrater reliability, 2-week stability, and other analyses, DISCUS is…

Fifteen children (ages 4-13) with psychotic symptoms were compared to 15 children with autism using the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Rating Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Psychotic individuals were rated as having better language and social skills; autistic persons had more difficulty adapting to new situations. (Author/JDD)

This study investigated interparental agreement of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory for 44 clinic-referred families. Mothers rated their children's disruptive behavior as more frequent and more problematic than did fathers. However, strong evidence for cross-informant reliability was obtained. For maternal vs. paternal reports, classification…

The ability of the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents to detect emotional disturbance was examined. Discriminant analyses produced sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy ratings of approximately 80% with a sample of 150 youths, ages 5-17, who were not disabled and 150 youths who were socially or emotionally disturbed.…

The psychometric properties of the Motivation Assessment Scale were examined using 90 ratings of different problem behaviors among 86 individuals with mental retardation. Although reliability and internal consistency were generally poor, the results depended upon topographies of problem behavior and methods of calculation. The construct validity…

Reports on a study in which 57 students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treated with methylphenidate (Ritalin), had ratings of their behavior compared to placebo on the School Situations Questionnaire (SSQ). Results reveal that SSQ ratings improved with medication in task-related situations, but less so in non-task or unstructured…

The construct validity of scores on the Behavior Rating Scale of the revised Bayley Scales of Infant Development was studied with national standardization samples of children ranging from 1 to 42 months and a variety of factor analytic methods. The factor structure became more complex at older ages. (SLD)

A study involving 99 parents, researchers, residential workers, speech pathologists, and special education teachers revealed a high level of support for the Biala-II, a profile that uses the knowledge of informants who are able to provide specific information on the ways in which a person with mental retardation communicates. (Contains…

A study attempted to replicate a previous study that presented reliability data from recordings of behavior state using a 13-category coding system. Replication was unsuccessful. Obtained mean percentage agreement on occurrence for individual behavior state and participants (n=34) ranged across observer pairs from 0 to 58 percent. (Contains 13…

This study developed a test battery to assess the cognitive skills in children with physical limitations. A preliminary battery of 83 items was administered to 26 children, aged 26 to 36 months, with severe physical impairments. Rasch analysis yielded a final battery of 35 items with high internal consistency, interrater reliability, and…

Three studies are reported addressing the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition (BERS-2): Parent Rating Scale (PRS). In the first study, test-retest reliability was investigated over a one-week period to determine the stability of the BERS-2 PRS over time. Reliability…