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ABLE (Attention, Behavior, Language and Emotions) is a system for screening problems
of adjustment of children in pre-kindergarten programs. It is presented in 3 levels
or waves. The first level asks about problems related to attention, behavior, language
and emotions commonly reported in early childhood settings. The second asks about
the severity of problems if any are reported. Parts 1 and 2 are brief and should
take most people 5 min or less per child. The third wave is required only if a concern
is judged to be serious. It provides more specific information needed to plan for
intervention and take most people about 15 minutes to complete per child.
ABLE Level I
The first level is used with parents or teachers to determine if there are concerns
about a child or a group of children and how serious those concern might be. It
consists of 10 items each asking about a specific problem that may be of concern
at home or in the early care and education setting. Level I includes 7 additional
items that help to estimate the severity of the concern. It is completed by persons
such as parents or early care provider who have had the opportunity to interact
with and observe the child on a regular basis. The level I screen Problem Severity-
Several ratings are used to gauge the severity or seriousness of a specific behavioral
or emotional problem parents report for a child. Severity is defined in terms of:
- Duration
How long the problem has existed
- Impairment
Extent of interference with normal functioning and development
- Pervasiveness
Across how many settings the problem occurs
- Comparative standard
How the child compares to other children
- Responsiveness to intervention
If anything has reduced the problem
- Exacerbation
Whether the problem has gotten worse over time
- Need for professional help
The problem is so severe that professional help is needed
ABLE Level II
For children who are screened positively for problems at Level 1, there is a follow
up instrument (40 items) that screens for problems of:
- Attention (concentration and hyperactivity)
- Behavior (aggression and chronic disobedience)
- Language (receptive and expressive difficulties)
- Emotions (fear / sadness)
The level II screening can be completed by parent at home and entered later on the
website. Children scoring above the norm on this Level II screen can be offered
interventions in the classroom or home and/ or to a mental health professional for
observation and assessment. Initially, teachers and child care staff may use information
from the Level II assessment to make decisions about appropriate classroom interventions
to address the identified problem prior to referral to a mental health professional.
The simple to use form provide useful background information for a clinical consultant
or mental health professional who must gather additional information to decide whether
the child meets the diagnostic criteria or eligibility criteria for professional
mental health services.