Use of operational criteria in an office practice for diagnosis of children referred for evaluation of learning or behavior disorders.

100 consecutively referred school-age children were evaluated for learning or behavior disorders. 45 children had one of three classical neurological syndromes of epilepsy, sensorineural deafness, or childhood migraine. The 26 children with epilepsy required medication adjustment to improve behavior or learning. Operational criteria for childhood depression, specific learning disability, developmental hyperactivity, and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome were used to establish the correct diagnosis in 55 children. 32 children had a single diagnosis, while 23 children fulfilled the criteria of two diagnostic categories. The diagnostic categorization permitted specific counseling of the child and family, development of a proper school program, and correct pharmacotherapy (when indicated).