Establishing a Placement Index for Behaviorally Disturbed Children Using the Hand Test

Abstract

Hand Test variables were evaluated to see if they would empirically discern varying levels of behavioral and social maladjustment in severely behaviorally handicapped children. Hand Test protocols of 6- to 18-year-old students (N = 100) were gathered. Twenty protocols from each of three levels of special education placement were obtained in addition to 40 protocol of students enrolled in regular educational classrooms. A stepwise discriminant analysis yielded both pathology (PATH) and aggression (AGG) as significant discriminators (p < .05). Cutoff scores arid a weighted equation consisting of nine variables was derived using proper placement in group setting as the criteria. The assignment of children to correct placement levels was 64% or 79%, depending on the stringency of criteria. These findings reinforce the utility of the Hand Test as a valuable tool in the psychologist's testing armament for assisting with placement decisions and support the strength of integrating multiple variables to aid with these decisions. Replication of this study for the purpose of cross validation of the Placement index is strongly encouraged.