The DIAL-3 is an individually administered developmental screening test designed to identify
             young children in need of further diagnostic assessment.  It is designed for children from the
             ages 3 years and 0 months through 6 years and 11 months.

             DIAL-3 items assess developmental skills that are the foundation for academic learning.  It consists
             of five screening areas - Motor, Concepts, Language, Self-Help Development, and Social
             Development.  The first three areas assess children directly, using performance items.  The last two
             areas use parental observations, recorded in a questionnaire.

             DIAL-3 is administered by a team of adults who individually screen three children at the same time,
             in a room, without partitions between the screening areas.  Because the screening for all three areas
             takes approximately 30 minutes, six children may be screened in an hour to an hour.

             The results of the screening are shared with the parent.  The results allow the coordinator to make
             following statements about the child:

                    •The child's development appears to be delayed when compared with those of the same age
                     group, and further assessment is recommended. (Labeled "Potential Delay" on the record form.)

                    •The child appears to be developing in a satisfactory manner, and no serious difficulty is
                     foreseen.  (Labeled "OK" on the record form.)