OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the validity of using the Allen Cognitive Levels Screen (ACL-90 version) by comparing functional cognitive performance between adolescents living in the community and adolescents residing in mental health facilities.
METHOD. Sixty-three adolescents were assessed using the ACL-90: 32 adolescents living in the community, and 28 adolescents residing in residential mental health facilities.
RESULTS. Using a one-tailed t test, performance scores for adolescents residing in the community were statistically higher than those for adolescents living in residential mental health facilities (t (34) = 4.3, p < .001).
CONCLUSION. This study suggests the validity of the ACL-90 as an assessment to use for screening the cognitive functional performance of adolescents.
