Usefulness of the Child Behavior Checklist in the assessment of preschool children with developmental problems

The diagnostic evaluation of developmental problems and behavior problems in early childhood is difficult and time consuming. This study analyses the usefulness of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) as a screening instrument in a special clinic for children with pervasive and specific developmental disorders. 106 children under the age of 6 years were enrolled in the study. All children were individually assessed. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on parent interview, observation of the child, speech and language assessment as well as cognitive assessment and extensive neurological examination. In addition, behavior and emotional problems were recorded with the CBCL. The results show that less than half of the children with a psychiatric diagnosis had a total score (CBCL) above the cut-off value. However, all children with a total score in the clinical range had a psychiatric diagnosis. The syndrome scales and diagnostic scales are not sensitive. The diagnostic scale "pervasive developmental disorder" is not specific enough to be used as a reliable instrument. In order to improve the usefulness of the Checklist, a adjustment of the cut-off values should be considered.