Examines the reliability and validity of the Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale (VASS) for the early identification of elder abuse. Results confirmed the VASS factor structure and construct validity. The Vulnerability and Coercion factors held the strongest face and construct validity for physical and psychological abuse. (Contains 52…

Discusses various problems in preschool screening for learning disabilities. Reviews studies which show that, in spite of such problems, early identification of learning disabilities is a viable process. Examines advances in reading theory and research which point to new variables that may enhance the predictive power of early screening devices…

The Token Test for Children was given in both synthesized-speech and natural-speech versions to 11 language impaired children (aged 8-10 years) and to 11 control subjects. Scores of the impaired children on the synthesized version were significantly lower than the synthesized-speech scores of the control group or of their own scores on the…

The paper reports data from four studies using the Language Development Survey (LDS), a screening tool for the identification of language delay in two-year-old children. The LDS was found to have excellent sensitivity and specificity. Prevalence data using the LDS are reported, comparing three different severity cutoffs. (Author/DB)

This article provides teachers with strategies for planning and organizing a positive, efficient physical fitness testing environment for K-12 students, including students with special needs. Methods of class organization and scheduling suggestions are presented. Sample record and score sheets are included. (IAH)

The Cancer Program for Older Citizens is a program to improve the outcome of a possible cancer diagnosis for older adults by encouraging early detection of cancer. Program has achieved positive, though modest, changes in the cancer-related knowledge and beliefs of older adult participants, with these impacts sustained for months after the program.…

The study compared the results of the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) Screening Test with the Denver Developmental Screening Test-Revised and with the full-scale BDI for 30 handicapped and 35 nonhandicapped children, all aged six months to six years. Major differences were found between the tests and populations identified for follow-up.…

Measures of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) reproducibility were obtained for 506 ears of 260 children and young adults. Findings suggest that TEOAEs provide useful information in routine clinical practice and may be employed to screen for the presence of hearing loss in children and young adults. (DB)

Computers may have some value for screening potential employees before a face-to-face interview. Experience has shown that people respond more candidly to computers and employers have a better chance of selecting applicants who will be better employees. (JOW)

Studied health screening methods of schools in mid-Missouri. Found significant differences between rural and urban schools in terms of number of school nurses employed and percentage of schools screening in all areas studied: physical assessment, vision, hearing, scoliosis, and dental. Recommends improved health screenings in rural schools. (KS)

The study, comparing 27 pairs of mildly mentally retarded students and normal achievers (ages 6-8), found that mentally retarded subjects evidenced lower performance on experimental oddity problems but were able to generalize to very different oddity arrays. High levels of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive accuracy, and negative…

A survey of 48 United States and 9 Canadian undergraduate dental school clinics investigated the extent of routine use of screening blood tests for patients, test types used, and plans to increase or decrease screening test use. Six responded that they routinely test asymptomatic patients, with 2-20 tests used per patient. (MSE)

Regular education students (n=81) and students with serious emotional disturbance (n=81,) were matched on age (7-13), gender, race, and intelligence. They completed drawings which were scored using the "Draw a Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance." Students with emotional disturbance scored significantly higher than did…

A program was developed to identify gifted kindergarten students in Newark (New Jersey), through the use of a multiple entry screening and assessment procedure, and to provide enrichment for those children through training of their kindergarten through second-grade teachers in the "Young Thinker" problem-solving model. (JDD)

A group of 120 older adults participated in group testing and 64 in individual testing of mental and physical health. Testing conditions made a difference for personality, perceived health, mental health, and recall of life events. Selection or setting bias was thought to have affected outcomes. (SK)