The ECBI and the SESBI-R are comprehensive, behaviourally specific rating scales that assess the current frequency and severity of disruptive behaviours in the home and school settings, as well as the extent to which parents and/or teachers find the behaviour troublesome. Both instruments consist of items that represent common behaviours in all children. The variety and frequency of these behaviours distinguishes normal behaviour problems from conduct-disordered behaviour in children and adolescents. The non-age-specific nature of the items also makes them widely generalisable. On both the 36-item ECBI and the 38-item SESBI-R, the parent or teacher indicates how often each behaviour currently occurs (7-point Intensity scale) and whether or not the behaviour is a problem (yes-or-no Problem scale). ECBI and SESBI-R scores can be quickly and easily computed by hand in about 5 minutes each.

Used together, the ECBI and SESBI-R provide useful information for identifying and treating disruptive behaviour in children and adolescents ages 2 through 16 years.