Date of Award
1-1-1992
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Mary Ellen Sapp
Keywords
Attention, Attention Deficit Disorder, Behavior Rating Scales, Psychological Evaluations, Hyperactivity, Test Validity, Test Reliability
Abstract
This practicum addressed the problem that school clinicians were unaware of the variety of behavior rating scales that help In the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and other disorders that often coexist. The writer's goal was to provide a process to Introduce behavior rating scales to 73 school clinicians from 21 school districts to aid in identifying ADD/ADHO children and differentiate coexisting disorders. During the Implementation phase, the writer initiated various contacts with groups of clinicians responsible for screening students. The writer met with individual and small groups of school clinicians to present a variety of ratings scales materials, and to offer support for their efficacy in evaluating ADD/ADHD. This Included those rating scales that differentiate other disorders such as anxiety, depression, and conduct and oppositional disorders that often coexist with this disorder. The rating scales were shown with sample print-outs or other scoring record results. A brochure was published and was made available to each clinician This brochure recommended which rating scales were superior in evaluating AOD/ADHD and coexisting disorders. This included the age range for which each rating scale was normed, as well as the ordering addresses, and telephone and fax numbers of the companies that sell the scales. Outcomes of this practicum were positive. The goal of Increased awareness of behavior rating scales for school clinicians was accomplished. At the beginning of the implementation phase, 23 of 73 clinicians were using rating scales. At the end of the implementation phase, 45 clinicians were using rating scales to aid in the identification of ADD/ADHD children.