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Meeting the challenge of assessing behavioural problems Assessment of behavioural, social and emotional problems faces several challenges, according to Professor Thomas Achenbach, from the University of Vermont, USA. Professor Achenbach was a keynote speaker at the International Test Users' Conference 2004 hosted by ACER in Melbourne on 19-20 July. He is the author of the Child Behaviour Checklist. One of the challenges in assessing behavioural, social and emotional problems is the different responses from various sources of data. In some situations, such as the assessment of children and older adults, other family members, carers and clinicians are also asked to report on that person's behaviour. Responses from different people can vary: a child's mother, father and teacher may all make different observations about a child's behaviour, and this may also vary from information gathered from the child. The key is to combine this data to form a cohesive and accurate picture of the child's behaviour. Cultural differences are also an issue in many countries, where the need arises to provide educational, mental health and social services for refugees and immigrants. "Differences in language, culture, socioeconomic status, education, values, and expectations challenge traditional assessment practices, " Professor Achenbach said. In meeting these challenges, the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) systematically compares problems reported by the person being assessed and people who know the person to reveal similarities and differences and measure the extent to which their responses agree. The ASEBA instruments have been translated into 69 languages to overcome some of the cultural challenges practitioners face. Further information about Professor Achenbach's presentation can be found in the Conference Proceedings. Media releases regarding other conference presentations can be found in Media Release Archive. « Back to eNews
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Assessment of behavioural, social and emotional problems faces several challenges, according to Professor Thomas Achenbach, from the University of Vermont, USA.

Professor Achenbach was a keynote speaker at the International Test Users' Conference 2004 hosted by ACER in Melbourne on 19-20 July. He is the author of the Child Behaviour Checklist.

One of the challenges in assessing behavioural, social and emotional problems is the different responses from various sources of data. In some situations, such as the assessment of children and older adults, other family members, carers and clinicians are also asked to report on that person's behaviour. Responses from different people can vary: a child's mother, father and teacher may all make different observations about a child's behaviour, and this may also vary from information gathered from the child. The key is to combine this data to form a cohesive and accurate picture of the child's behaviour.

Cultural differences are also an issue in many countries, where the need arises to provide educational, mental health and social services for refugees and immigrants.

"Differences in language, culture, socioeconomic status, education, values, and expectations challenge traditional assessment practices, " Professor Achenbach said.

In meeting these challenges, the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) systematically compares problems reported by the person being assessed and people who know the person to reveal similarities and differences and measure the extent to which their responses agree. The ASEBA instruments have been translated into 69 languages to overcome some of the cultural challenges practitioners face.

Further information about Professor Achenbach's presentation can be found in the Conference Proceedings.

Media releases regarding other conference presentations can be found in Media Release Archive.

Meeting the challenge of assessing behavioural problems