The number of children diagnosed with autism is rapidly increasing. While autism is not a new disability, many families are still embarking on unforeseen journeys with their children. The autism spectrum has broadened, and with increased awareness in recent years, it is undetermined which aspect has the greatest impact on the increasing numbers.…

Conventional approaches to evaluating vocational education have often been criticized for failing to deal holistically with the institution or program being evaluated. Integrated quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods have documented benefits; therefore, it would be useful to consider possibility of developing a model for evaluating…

Differences between fad bulimia and clinical bulimia are presented using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) criteria, personality assessment measures, and responses to counseling. (Author)

From a developmental-structuralist perspective, describes stages of child development; presents operational criteria to help the clinician categorize infants and young children whose behavioral and emotional patterns may fall outside the expectable, normal range; and illustrates the diagnostic approach with five case studies. (RH)

Depression is considered a significant affective disorder in children and adolescents. This article provides school psychologists with information concerning the current status of depression in this population. Epidemiological data on depression is provided with phenomenology and diagnostic criteria, review of assessment measures, and…

Advances have been made in testing optometrists' clinical skills, particularly with the use of simulation techniques. Further research into these techniques will probably receive the most attention, although a shift in research emphasis from correlational studies of test validity and reliability to test development studies is needed. (MSE)

A teacher's personal account of her discovery of her six-year-old daughter's hearing loss. Emphasizes the need for early screening for young children. (CM)

Research prospects and priorities in autism are discussed with respect to: (1) diagnosis, classification, and epidemiology; (2) clinical research; (3) neuropsychological research; (4) genetics; (5) structural and functional brain imaging; (6) postmortem studies; (7) other biological research; and (8) treatment research. Application of research…

This article explains how comprehensive interdisciplinary, clinically oriented evaluation can become an intervention by educating the parent about a child's development, providing a context for observation, identifying child and family strengths, and helping the parent to interact with the child. During the evaluation process, parents begin to…

Qualifications are proposed in applying a diagnosis of psychopathic personality that considers impulsivity, feelings of remorse, and thrill seeking. Depth interviews with rock climbers and high-speed motorcyclists revealed that thrill seeking itself may not be a reliable indicator of psychopathy. (Author/TE)

The characteristic features of psychogenic stuttering of adult onset are reviewed, and four cases of this disorder are presented. Psychogenic stuttering of adult onset is classified as a conversion reaction, and tentative criteria for this diagnosis are proposed. (Author/JDD)

This article reviews 19 common myths in voice therapy. Issues examined include developmental factors, iatrogenic voice disorders, breathing habits, optimum pitch, palate training, and etiology based on perceptual cues. More referral, assessment, and decision making are needed, as well as development of standards for the management of voice…

Discusses diagnosis, addressing need for and usefulness of diagnosis by clinicians in general, with emphasis on related ethical concerns and clinicians' competence in diagnosis specifically. Concludes that graduate programs involved in training clinical professionals need to teach diagnosis more aggressively. (Author/NB)

The pragmatic question of assessing a client's situation with regard to rational suicide is raised. A review of the nine criteria for a diagnosis of clinical depression is suggested as a good way to explore the possibility of clinical depression in a terminally ill person who is considering suicide. (Author/EMK)

Discusses the importance of research on the emotional impact of the medical examination for child sexual abuse. Summarizes current research; identifies unanswered questions; and proposes a research agenda to investigate effects of pre-existing factors, medical setting and emotional response, targeting positive and negative outcomes, and emotional…