Although the five-part diagnostic criteria of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision" (DSM-IV-TR) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are behavioral and descriptive in nature, this condition has increasingly been defined as a disorder resulting from impaired behavioral inhibition…

Research, commentary, and interpretive procedures reflecting varied perspectives on figure drawings are presented in order to suggest contemporary practice models for school psychologists. The review of the extensive literature includes measures with scoring systems that are normed and those systems that rely on clinical traditions for…

Each year, an increasing number of children and adolescents are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASDs involve impairment to an individual's social, language, and behavioral functioning. Due to the complexity of this disorder, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment approach is recommended in order to meet the…

Reviews current and available literature on Attention Deficit Disorder which tends to suggest that the search for identifying universal and specific features of handicapping conditions continues, as disagreement emerges over the construct of Attention Deficit Disorder. Summarizes debate in professional literature regarding definitions,…

The purpose of this article is to examine models designed for the determination of a learning disability and compare them to specific criteria to determine whether the given diagnostic process is ecological in nature. The traditional child-centered deficit model (CCD), Relative Achievement Discrepancy model (RAD), and Responsiveness to…

This article reviews the results of a survey of the Fellows of the American Academy of School Psychology (Academy; AASP) regarding the independent educational evaluation (IEE) for a specific learning disability (SLD). Academy Fellows were asked about important components of the IEE, desirable evaluator qualifications, and recommended criteria for…

Notes that substantial confusion exists regarding comparative diagnostic criteria and treatment implications for school phobia and separation anxiety. Literature survey demonstrates tendency of school personnel to put all students exhibiting these disorders into group of "school refusers." Sees treatment issues handled similarly despite evidence…

Used analogue case study format to examine sex bias in clinical judgment among school psychologists. Varied sex of adolescent and problem type in 2 X 2 design. School psychologists read case study and rated perceived disturbance and importance of intervention. Psychologists rated it more important to intervene when subject was male; no differences…

Discusses the case of a 25-year-old male with childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), or Heller's syndrome, in terms of differential diagnosis, progression of the disorder, and suggestions for home- and school-based interventions. Documents the progressive deterioration of cognitive and social competencies. (Contains 23 references.) (GCP)

The Slosson Intelligence Test, unlike most current measures of intelligence, uses a ratio method of mental age divided by chronological age to obtain an IQ score. Standard deviations are not stable across age levels. It is concluded that the Slosson is inappropriate for use in the diagnosis of mental retardation. (Author)

Reviews the current research and clinical views on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in school-age youth which, although not a high prevalence problem, is a greatly underrecognized condition. Discussion focuses on differentiation from normality and related psychopathological disorders, biological and psychological factors in etiology, school…

Discusses factitious disorder particularly as it applies to the school setting and the role school psychologists can play in the identification of this disorder. Describes a case study identified in the school setting, presents symptoms of the disorder, and includes specific recommendations for the school psychologist regarding identification,…

The present study examined performance on an arithmetic task of increasing difficulty and a frustrating puzzle task for children with ADHD and comparison children. Emotional competence also was investigated in the two groups. Sixty-four children, 21 previously diagnosed with ADHD, participated. Performance on the arithmetic task was measured in…

Three dimensions (namely, predetermination of questions, interviewer response options, and breadth of content explored), which appear to determine assessment interview structure and format, are described and operationally defined, and then combined into a conceptual model indicating 27 different assessment interview formats. This paradigm affords…

Examines how 92 practicing school psychologists rank 11 variables in their assessments of serious emotional disturbance in school-age children. Also examines the extent of school psychologists' reliance upon clinical and empirical criteria in assessing severity. Results indicate that school psychologists agree in their ranking of variables from…