Reliability of an index of child characteristics

The ABILITIES index provides a means to describe nine areas of functional abilities and disabilities. In this study, the authors examined the agreement between ratings made by 130 parents and teachers, 130 parents and specialists, and 125 teachers and specialists. Stability of ratings was assessed by asking 40 teachers to complete the index a second time, an average of 34 days after the first rating. The results suggest that raters who vary considerably in expertise, discipline and relationship to the child generally agree as to the child's presenting characteristics.