The development of a microcomputer assessment system to assist staff who work with developmentally disabled persons is described with respect to establishing its reliability (internal, interrater, and intrarater), validity, utility, and cost effectiveness. Using the system, in less than one hour, nonprofessionals generated an in-depth, comprehensive individualized 5-10 page behavioral assessment which required one quarter the cost of traditional assessments and was judged superior in quality by administrators, client advocates, and direct care staff.
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