Examined the ability of CAGE, an established screening test for alcoholism, to identify accurately problem drinkers among college students (N=582). Found that the CAGE did not perform well enough to serve as a screening tool for problem drinking within the college student population. (Author/ABL)

Used Research Diagnostic Criteria to assess base rate of detection of depression in 150 elderly medical inpatients by nonpsychiatric physicians, and evaluated psychometric properties of screening instruments to assess depression. Found detection of depression by house staff extremely low (8.7 percent). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), BDI…

This article reports results of a study whose purpose was to design, implement, and evaluate the effects of a cardiovascular screening and educational training program aimed at reducing heart disease risk factors of corrections personnel (N=88). (IAH)

The investigation examining the effect of kindergarten experience on the performance of children on the Bankson Language Screening Test suggested the need for different sets of language test norms for children with and without kindergarten experience. (Author/DB)

Presents a systematic touch exploration format for screening child abuse. The technique involves simple drawings with child participation that review forms of touching in a child's life and screens for physical and emotional abuse as well. Comparisons between screening outcomes and completed case conclusions indicate a bias toward underreporting…

Describes efforts and difficulties encountered by health care professionals who attempted to develop a Spanish-language word recognition test as a quick screening for patients' literacy levels, an effort which was ultimately unsuccessful. Notes that the close phoneme-grapheme correspondence of the spelling system means oral reading may not reflect…

This paper reviews studies of the link between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment and then explores standardized methods developed for screening for substance abuse among various populations and suggests ways of adapting these screening devices for families reported for child maltreatment. Assessment and treatment considerations in…

Reports on the use of a screening instrument for dissociative behaviors in two separate but related studies. Results of a concurrent validity study between the Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC) and the Child Behavior Checklist indicate significant, positive correlations. A second study found that parent-completed CDC scores differentiate between…

This paper reviewed the psychometric properties of the DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III, Revised) criteria for autism. Results indicated that the criteria had, on average, very good sensitivity but much lower specificity. It is concluded that the DSM-III-R criteria act more like screening criteria than diagnostic criteria.…

Administered Quick Neurological Screening Test-Revised (QNST-R) to 122 elementary-aged children diagnosed with learning disabilities. QNST-R appeared to measure primarily lower order sensory perception/processing and fine and gross motoric skills, which are thought presumably to serve as basis for later higher order cognitive functions. Age, but…

This investigation compared five parameters of phonatory function in an examination of the use of acoustic measures in differential diagnosis in 39 subjects in 3 neuropathological groups (Parkinson, Huntington, cerebellar ataxia) and a normal control group. Results indicated higher variability in perturbation in all the neuropathological groups.…

Two educational resources for use with gifted students are evaluated. Positively rated are "The Gifted Evaluation Scale" (Stephen B. Carney) and "The Psychology of Achievement" (audiotape series by Brian Tracy). (DB)

This study evaluated the voiced/voiceless phonation time for /s/ and /z/ for 11 children (ages 5-10) with vocal pathology and 11 normal speaking children. Results showed no difference in /s/ durations between groups, but /z/ durations and s/z ratios were significantly different. Results are discussed in relation to task construction, instructional…

Describes sensory integration dysfunction, a condition in which a child's inefficient neurological system has a negative effect on his or her ability to perform effectively in a school setting. Discusses the role of occupational therapy intervention for preschoolers with sensory integration dysfunction and methods of screening for the dysfunction.…

This article describes the Scale for the Evaluation of Gifted Identification Instruments, developed for use by school decision makers. Development of the scale is reviewed in terms of five areas of assessment: validity, reliability, propriety, respondent appropriateness, and utility. Specific guidelines and cautions in using the scale are also…