The rapid increase in the United States' racial and ethnic minority populations has accompanied a mental health revolution. Traditional models previously used to explain normality and abnormality are being questioned. Therefore, ways in which school psychologists can become more aware of their own cultural background, and thus provide caring,…

A study involving over 480 interviews in five diverse communities (Atlanta, Georgia; Duluth, Minnesota; Providence, Rhode Island; Riverside, California; Roswell, New Mexico) identified barriers facing physicians and other health care providers in identifying, treating, and referring victims of family violence, and illuminated the relationships of…

This article examines the case of a male with Down syndrome who has been referred to a clinical psychology service due to challenging behaviors. It provides a case history and rationale for the assessment of autism, and describes the positive effects of an intervention for increasing staff awareness of autism. (Contains references.) (CR)

Thirty-six mothers of children with autism rated videotapes of behavior from young children later diagnosed with autism who were then assigned to a diagnostic or a no-diagnostic information group. No differences were found on overall ratings of intentionality. Mothers in the diagnostic information group rated stereotyped behavior as less…

A study was conducted of 201 adults with Down's syndrome to investigate the differential causes of decline in adaptive behavior. Results indicated that aging, dementia, and severity of mental retardation were significant factors, while absence of a medical illness predicted a higher level of adaptive behavior. (CR)

This article reviews the identification of students with learning disabilities, gifted children, and problems facing the remediation of their difficulties. An outline is given of an approach that applies neuroscience to understanding and treating the root cause of learning disabilities. A case study of a child labeled dyslexic is presented.…

Two charting strategies to help students organize patients' data are Weed's problem-oriented medical record and Russell's condition diagram. Students at the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio were divided into study groups. The condition diagram group format may be helpful for students with lower academic achievement. (Author/MLW)

Records of 250 children and adolescents admitted to a psychiatric hospital were grouped according to their educational status prior to admission as follows: nondisabled students (46%), students with serious emotional disturbance (36%), and students with other disabilities (18%). Differences among the three groups were found on gender, psychiatric…

The Achenbach and Edelbrock parent and teacher checklists were evaluated with boys, ages 6-11, with either severe emotional disturbance, psychiatric outpatient status, or in the general population. Logistic regression analyses showed the Total Problem scales of both checklists to be the most efficient and economical scales for classification.…

Three studies obtained teacher-reported prevalence rates for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other behavior disorders using the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria; compared rates with the prevalence for DSM-III-R and DSM-III within the same population of elementary students; examined the…

The potential for clinical-judgment errors in assessing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) makes this a good example for illustrating methods of debiasing and hypothesis testing. This article provides information about this frequently misdiagnosed disorder, delineates methods for assessment and treatment of OCD, and discusses implications of…

Twenty children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low IQs were followed up 4.5 years later (ages 8-20). A majority continued to screen positive for ADHD, as well as display high rates of comorbid anxiety disorders, tics, and elimination disorders. Multiple medication trials resulted in significantly lower hyperactivity…

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine differences in speech/language and written language skills between children with suspected childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and children with other speech-sound disorders at school age. Method: Ten children (7 males and 3 females) who were clinically diagnosed with CAS (CAS group) were…

Background: To examine longitudinal associations between diagnosis, joint attention, play and imitation abilities and language outcome in infants with autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Methods and Procedures: Experimental measures of joint attention, play and imitation were conducted with a sample of infants with autism spectrum…

Rates of mental health difficulties were investigated among children in substitute care across five childcare teams in Craigavon and Banbridge H+SS Trust. A total of 64 children were assessed using a behavioural screening instrument. Results indicate that more than 60% of 4-10 year olds assessed may have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. The…