Theories regarding organic determinants of learning and behavior disorders are reviewed historically. Cases illustrating how a bio-ecologic examination can isolate the substances to which a person reacts and some of the reasons for those reactions are presented; and the role of various disorders in relation to the central nervous system is…

As family therapy becomes a serious intellectual disipline, the relationships among its leading variations require closer examination. To examine similarities and differences among four closely related approaches (brief, problem-focused therapy; structural family therapy; strategic family therapy; and systemic family therapy) and to determine if…

Noting that the progressive aging of the American population has created a need for a body of knowledge about the vocal characteristics associated with aging, this paper provides information on geriatric voice. The first section of the paper contains a selected bibliography of materials concerning geriatric voice, including literature on the need…

The effects of three major variables--the perceived sex of the evaluatee, the sex of rater, and the sex-role identity of rater--were investigated with respect to conceptions of psychological health. The Bem Sex Role Inventory and the Sex Role Stereotype Questionnaire were administered to 222 undergraduate students. Using the difference in the mean…

Data on 36 autistic, 30 mentally retarded (MR), and 22 normal children (23-65 months old) was collected to develop a method of objective behavioral assessment for diagnosing autism and documenting symptom changes over time. Ss were observed and rated on the Behavior Observation Scale, an instrument which contains 67 objectively defined behaviors…

A detailed explicit definition of learning disability (LD) is presented in terms of the diagnostic procedures and decision points used in identifying that category among a group of juvenile delinquent and control group adolescent males. The described procedures include a review of existing records, interviews, and diagnostic assessments.…

Frequency data are reported from a research project aimed at developing the Behavior Observation Scale (BOS), an objective assessment tool for establishing the diagnosis of autism. The goals of the BOS are to differentiate autistic, normal, and mentally retarded children (ages 30 to 60 months) along objective symptom axes involving 67 behaviors.…

To help determine the role that test instrument formats play in evaluation, two parallel examinations were given to 227 second-year medical students. The tests were based on information presented in a medical case history. One required students to generate their own problem lists (the generate group); the other required the students to select…

This paper discusses the definition of learning disability through the concept of early identification of vulnerable children, based on a study of 650 inner-city preschool children. While the study's first step, scanning, identified the children who were vulnerable to learning disability, the second step, diagnosis, attempted to find the reasons…

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in health status between the sexes in both white and nonwhite adolescents. Data from the 1969 Health Examination Survey's large sample of 12- to 17-year-olds were used to build a group of scales (Exam, Home and Youth Scales). The information obtained from each scale was combined to produce a…

This report summarizes the theoretic background, rationale, and development of 14 simulated cases useful in comparing the problem-solving behaviors of clinicians as they diagnose the same case under the same conditions and in supplementing field experiences in teacher preparation programs. The first section of the report presents a theoretic…

Contrary to current anti-testing sentiment, Sangamon State University's recently designed M.A. program in clinical psychology requires training in the use of psychodiagnostic instruments and presents assessment as an integral part of therapy or counseling. This paper offers empirical and conceptual support for this position. Data is summarized…

This paper examines the validity of diagnostic categories frequently used to classify children with severe language disorders by determining the relationship of the categories to independently derived developmental, psychological, and medical variables. It is argued that the classification systems currently available too often fail to achieve the…

American dental schools were surveyed to determine the state of development of programs in medical emergencies in the dental curriculum. Results show that programs for teaching the diagnosis and management of medical emergencies are seriously underdeveloped in dental schools. (MLW)

This study examined the effects of a simulated patient examination administered to applicants for the General Surgical residency program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Results obtained from 29 applicants showed no significant differences in faculty ratings between applicants provided practical exam results and those using…