title: The longitudinal study of findings in childhood. Analysis of an interdisciplinary process.
abstract: The Brookline Early Education Project provided periodic diagnostic assessments and individualized educational programs for approximately 300 children enrolled at birth in an   attempt to reduce the prevalence of neglected health needs and school problems. A method, The Longitudinal Study of Findings, was developed to monitor and document diagnostic findings (determinations suggesting a  possible service need). Each finding was rated for severity, treatability, and predictive value (potential impact on future function). At the 42-month-old check-point, 87% of children had at least one finding; there was  a mean of 3.4 findings per child. Only 15% of findings had a high likelihood of treatability, and 12% were rated as  highly predictive of later  problems.  Only 1.1% of findings were highly predictive and highly treatable. Whole certain categories of findings tended to prevail in isolation, others tended to coexist in the same child.
mesh_terms: D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003954:Diagnostic Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D010348:Patient Care Team