This paper discusses the results of a study that examined the mental health needs of 796 adolescents who interacted with four types of service sectors that typically function as gateways to mental health services (education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and primary health). Prevalence estimates collected from the youth themselves were compared…

Designed to assist audiologists in the educational setting in responding to frequently asked questions concerning audiological auditory processing disorder (APD) evaluations, this paper addresses: (1) auditory processes; (2) auditory processing skills; (3) characteristics of auditory processing disorders; (4) causes of auditory overload; (5) why…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that examined the mental health referral patterns of youth referred to a public sector mental health system as the result of a judicial consent decree. The study included two samples of youth ages 13-17 from the entire state of South Carolina. The first group included incarcerated youth recruited from…

Four brief papers in this symposium examine clinical research, community mental health services, and policy issues of young children's mental health problems. First, "Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Young Children Entering School" (Lynne C. Huffman, Sarah L. Mehlinger, and Amy S. Kerivan Marks) reviews the research and identifies…

To assist in upcoming deliberations on the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Center on Education Policy asked three outstanding experts in special education to write papers advising on whether and how IDEA should be changed. The resulting papers in this publication include: IDEA 2002 Reauthorization; An…

Presents guidance for child care administrators when customers, parents, children, or employees depart. Argues that a positive final impression is achieved by providing closure, maintaining service levels, and creating a plan for withdrawal. Provides guidance for helping children say good-bye, obtaining referrals from former customers, and…

An analysis of four schools explored the degree to which positive outcomes of a 1990 state policy on educational reform had been sustained in the context of subsequent policies emphasizing standards-based reform. Results found an increased use of educational support systems, but also increased special education referrals and restrictive…

This paper reviews current practices in urban school districts, concluding that for inner-city children, special education referral, evaluation, and placement practices are not more effective now than 25 years ago. The characteristics and needs of inner-city special education youngsters and the difficult options facing school administrators are…

Reports how husband's mental state, antagonism between the disputants, and victim injury affected officers' inferences and referral decisions to battered women shelters and outpatient mental health centers. Officers' age and perceptions of: husband's mental state, wife's credibility, wife's intent, husband's responsibility, and victim injury…

Five papers discuss topics related to the USMARC Community Information Format (CIF), including using CIF to create a public service resource network; development of a CIF-based database of materials relating to multicultural and differently-abled populations; background on CIF; development of an information and referral database; and CIF and…

Elementary-aged students (n=106) who had been referred for evaluation as possibly mildly/educably mentally handicapped were administered audiometric and visual acuity tests. Discriminant function analysis found no relationship between test results and classification/placement as mildly handicapped. Alternate testing procedures are recommended for…

Children (n=185) identified as at risk because of poverty were assessed on overall adjustment and academic progress during grades 1-3. Results suggested that excellent decisions were made in terms of who received special educational assistance. There did not appear to be any bias in the referral process. (Author/JDD)

This discussion of collaborative training of early childhood educators promotes increased collaboration between regular and special early childhood educators. It examines teacher competencies in curriculum, class management, professional consultation and collaboration, teacher-family relationships, child-child interactions, exceptional children,…

Examination of 382 referral forms for special education found that regular classroom teachers initiated 74 percent of the referrals. Factor analysis of referral reasons revealed five common types of referrals, some interacting with gender and level of students. The factors dealt with written language, externalizing behavior, internalizing…

This follow-up study examined effects (in grades two through five) of a two-year parent-child education program for low-income Mexican-American families of children ages one through three. There were no program effects on school grades, retention, or referrals, but program children achieved significantly higher on tests of reading, language, and…