Evaluator Disagreement about the Association between Psychopathy Checklist-Revised Scores and Risk for Future Sexual Violence.

It is common for forensic evaluators to use assessment instruments in risk assessment evaluations. This study examines whether different evaluators use instrument results the same way when coming to conclusions about risk for sexual recidivism in Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) evaluations. Three evaluators who each used both the Static-99R and Psychopathy Checklist-Revised in more than 60 SVP evaluations (Total  = 338) provided data for the study.

Correspondence between correctional staff and offender ratings of adaptive behavior.

Although several experts have raised concerns about using correctional officers as informants for adaptive behavior assessments, no studies have compared ratings from correctional officers to those from other informants. We compared Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-Second Edition (ABAS-II; Harrison & Oakland, 2003) scores assigned by correctional staff to those assigned by probationers (N = 56) residing in a community corrections facility. Correctional staff assigned markedly lower scores than did probationers on many ABAS-II scales (d = .

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity as a Moderator of Relationship Functioning After Sexual Assault.

Sexual assault is unfortunately common, especially among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Yet, the associations of such victimization have not yet been extensively established in the areas of sexual identity and romantic relationship functioning. Accordingly, the present study examined the associations between lifetime sexual assault, LGB identity, and romantic relationship functioning in a sample of 336 LGB individuals.

Detecting over- and underreporting of psychopathology with the Spanish-language Personality Assessment Inventory: findings from a simulation study with bilingual speakers.

Existing research on the Spanish-language translation of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; L. C. Morey, 1991) suggests that the validity scales from the English- and Spanish-language versions may not be equivalent measures.

Screening and identifying children with autism spectrum disorders in the public school system: the development of a model process.

Heightened public awareness of autism and increased prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has generated a sense of urgency within the public school system to identify children with these disorders for targeted intervention. Two multidisciplinary groups of professionals, one each from two separate school districts, were identified and trained to provide diagnostic and consultative services. This paper outlines a model process for school personnel to develop a basic level of training and competence in recognizing and serving students who have an ASD by (1) providing an overview of the legal and clinical issues involved in screening for children with ASD within the school system, (2) defining a school-based professional training process and (3) outlining a school-based ASD screening process.