Brain Dysfunction in Youngsters with Psychiatric Disorders: Application of Selz-Reitan Rules for Neuropsychological Diagnosis.

20 hospitalized psychiatric 9–15 yr olds without known brain damage were tested and then evaluated according to the actuarial system of rules for neuropsychological diagnosis recently developed by M. Selz and R. M. Reitan (see record 1979-28716-001 ). Application of the rules system resulted in 40% of the Ss being classified as normal, 35% as learning disabled, and 25% as brain damaged. Findings are discussed in relation to the possible nature and extent of brain dysfunction among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders, and emphasis is given to the need for specific norms for psychiatrically disturbed, nonbrain-damaged children to reduce the risk of false-positive diagnosis with this population. (7 ref)