RESUMO
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.