RELIABILITY OF AN INDEX OF CHILD CHARACTERISTICS

The ABILITIES index provides a means to describe nine areas of functio nal abilities and disabilities. In this study, the authors examined th e agreement between ratings made by 130 parents and teachers, 130 pare nts and specialists, and 125 teachers and specialists. Stability of ra tings was assessed by asking 40 teachers to complete the index a secon d time, an average of 34 days after the first rating. The results sugg est that raters who vary considerably in expertise, discipline and rel ationship to the child generally agree as to the child's presenting ch aracteristics.