Objective: To describe the development, use, and psychometric properties of the semistructured, symptom-oriented Interview Schedule for Children and Adolescents (ISCA) and its versions suitable for reevaluation.
Method: Data are summarized on the reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity of symptom ratings and resultant diagnoses, and information regarding the feasibility of a version of the ISCA for young adult subjects is presented.
Results: The evidence suggests that these instruments yield reliable symptom ratings and diagnoses relevant to a wide range of syndromes and diagnoses over time and that the ISCA is useful with psychiatric and pediatric medical populations.
Conclusions: The ISCA and its follow-up versions are useful clinical tools in research focusing on developmental psychopathology.