Title

Survey of the Assessment Methods Used in Texas Public Schools for the Diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Children

Document Type

Thesis

Comments


Presented to the Graduate Council of Texas State University–San Marcos in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts, May 2008.

Committee Members Approved:
Dr. Maria Diana Gonzales
Dr. Frances Burns
Dr. Jo Webber

Approved:
J. Michael Willoughby, Dean of the Graduate College

Abstract


The purpose of this study was to determine what assessment instruments and methods were being implemented within public elementary schools across the state of Texas to assist in the diagnosis of children suspected of having pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). Results indicated that assessment professionals across Texas were using similar assessment approaches and were relying on both standardized and non-standardized measures. However, the overall use of effective standardized assessments, as indicated in the current literature, was mixed. Also, the results suggested that many professionals across Texas were not applying least-biased assessment approaches appropriately to culturally and linguistically diverse populations with PDDs.