581. Inside the BASC-4 w/ Dr. Cecil Reynolds

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with renowned assessment expert Dr. Cecil R. Reynolds to discuss the upcoming release of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Fourth Edition, widely known as the BASC-4. We dive into the complex science behind test construction, examining why regular revisions are necessary to combat the seven year half-life of psychological knowledge and adapt to shifting clinical realities. Dr. Reynolds shares an insider look at the specific updates featured in the new edition, including neurodiversity-affirming adjustments to item language, an upgraded autism index for early childhood, and the upcoming introduction of narrowband scales for ADHD, autism, and mood disorders. We also address the systemic challenges of test development, the critical ethical requirement to choose instruments capable of withstanding legal cross-examination, and how practitioners can directly advocate for the creation of an adult broadband equivalent of the BASC system. - 00:35: The upcoming summer release timeline and rollout schedule for the BASC-4 - 01:18: The seven year half-life of psychological knowledge and the necessity of test revisions - 06:40: Incorporating neurodiversity-affirming language into standardized items without sacrificing validity - 11:17: New positive development metrics and expanded early childhood autism screening capabilities - 23:26: The clinical functions and structural features of the upcoming BASC-4 narrowband scales - 34:08: The psychometric dangers of diagnostic over-identification when using standalone narrowband tools - 45:37: Selecting legally defensible instruments aligned with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing - 51:54: Market realities of the test publishing industry and the path forward for an adult broadband measure - 01:00:21: Defining clinical efficacy and balancing workflow efficiency with scientific accuracy **Cool Things Mentioned** - Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists - Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists - Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists - Purchase the BASC-4 - Join the BASC-4 webinar trainings: - https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Behavior/Behavior-Assessment-System-for-Children-%7C-Fourth-Edition-/p/P100125000?productId=A103000453455 - https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Behavior/Behavior-Assessment-System-for-Children-%7C-Fourth-Edition-/p/P100125000?productId=A103000453456 **Featured Resources** TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings **150+ standardized measures** into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a **15-day free trial** via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist  **The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!** I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!ount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! !https://thetestingpsychologist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_0786-1024x1024.jpg ### About Dr. Cecil Reynolds Cecil Reynolds is author of what are now 4 editions of the Behavior Assessment System for Childre, with BASC-4 about to release in 3 weeks. He is also the author of more than 50 commercially published psychological tests and a frequent contributor to The Testing Psychologist. **Get in touch:** - Email: [crrh@earthlink.net](mailto:crrh@earthlink.net) ### About Dr. Jeremy Sharp !http://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Jeremy-Sharp-300x224.jpg I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. **Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to join our Waitlist!** Join the Waitlist