Derived general formulas to determine the sample size requirements for hypothesis testing with desired power and interval estimation with desired precision. Illustrated the approach with the example of a screening test for adolescent attention deficit disorder. (SLD)

This article describes the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) and reviews investigations into its reliability and validity, normative data, and the sensitivity and specificity of parental opinions of their infants' movement and motor development. It concludes that the HINT is a quick, noninvasive screening tool with potential for the early…

Developed a measure of severity of mental retardation in adults, the Level of Activity in Profound/severe Mental Retardation, scale using Rasch analysis as a guide to item selection. Results from using the scale to rate 146 adults with mental retardation support the use of the scale for classification of severe and profound retardation. (SLD)

Three studies with approximately 600 children were conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the three measures of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile. Findings support the use of the profile as a screening and evaluation tool for identifying children with developmental delays at 12 to 24 months of age.…

Explored rehabilitation clients' (N=75) perceptions of Microcomputer Evaluation and Screening Assessment (MESA). Results showed clients experienced greater enjoyment, but more difficulty, learning how to complete computer exercises than hardware exercises but viewed computer exercises instructions as easier to understand. Observed differences in…

Elementary teachers (N=209) completed questionnaires assessing attitudes toward preassessment procedures. Results indicated that teachers with over six years of teaching experience had significantly more negative attitudes toward preassessment than did teachers with under two years of experience. Teachers who had made referrals to preassessment…

The evaluation of a parent-completed screening system, the Infant Monitoring Questionnaires, found: 86 percent to 91 percent agreement between classifications of infants made using standardized tests and the questionnaires, low under-screening and over-screening rates (0 percent to 11 percent), high inter-observer and test-retest agreement, and…

The review of the Test of Written Language-2 (TOWL-2) raises concerns about alternate forms reliability, subtest reliability, content validity, and omissions. It concludes that the TOWL-2 is an expanded and greatly modified version of the original test but may not be appropriate for identifying a student's specific writing problems. (DB)

This investigation compared the Peabody Individual Achievement Test and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test scores of 131 children in grades 1-8, in order to determine whether findings of lower Woodcock scores are equally robust for each level. Differences in validity coefficients decreased from earlier to later grades. (Author/PB)

A properly performed screening history and cardiovascular examination can identify most young athletes at risk for sudden death from heart abnormalities. Warning signs and examiner response are discussed as well as appropriate use of echocardiography. Included is a sample preparticipation examination form recommended by the American Academy of…

Research is reviewed on identifying the characteristics most important to inventive ability, focusing on intelligence, visualization, persistence, joy in manipulating materials, originality, curiosity, and observation. A screening device developed to assess inventive potential demonstrated significant differences between inventors and…

An articulation screening procedure that considered the phonological content of the child's error was compared to a procedure that treated all errors as equally important with 333 preschool children. Predicting eventual therapy placement was more accurate when only selected errors were used. (Author/DB)

Discusses the usefulness of information from parents in the identification of young children with handicaps. Includes: (1) a rationale for the use of information from parents; (2) description of methods used to gather information; and (3) a review of research that has determined the accuracy of parental information. (RJC)

The Draw-a-Person Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance was evaluated with 39 deaf children, ages 9 through 12, who were divided into 2 groups: emotionally disturbed and not emotionally disturbed. Group mean scores were not significantly different; more than half the subjects in each group were misclassified using the procedure. (Author/DB)

Because many special-needs infants are at risk for delayed or maladaptive feeding skills and malnutrition, the Nutrition and Feeding Risk Identification Tool was developed using a family-centered, community-based, coordinated approach to screening and assessment of nutrition and feeding concerns of families. The measure's development,…