Screening for Behavioral and Emotional Risk: Constructs and Practicalities

ABSTRACT: Two questions are central to screening for behavioral and emotional risk: For what do we screen? How realistic is universal screening for schools? This article defines the construct of behavioral and emotional risk (BER), and differentiates it from psychiatric screening for mental health disorders and pediatric screening for behavioral development. The links between the BER construct and child development and psychopathology research for creating a screening test content blueprint are then considered. Some practical considerations for screening are offered with particular attention given to the personnel resources necessary to mount a universal BER screening program. Finally, the interplay of practice and science necessary to resolve the remaining questions related to BER screening is elucidated.