Concern about typical early identification procedures used with kindergarten children to predict potential reading failure is expressed in this paper. A diagnostic procedure for screening kindergarten children and then prescribing an individualized program for each child is described. The screening battery--Prediction with Diagnostic Qualities (PDQ)--consists of nine tests: auditory discrimination, listening comprehension, general vocabulary, ability to categorize, knowledge of relationship words, picture sequencing, oral language development, and the abilities to follow oral directions and to use oral context. Children are also tested for visual and auditory acuity. Now being tested, the effectiveness of the PDQ diagnostic procedure in terms of reading achievement will not be known for another year, but the teachers using the approach already report an impact on the kindergarten program in terms of greater specificity and individualization from the beginning of the year. By using a diagnostic rather than a predictive screening instrument, it is possible to diagnose for necessary skills and to provide instruction at each child's level of language development. (TO)