Screening Tools
1. Ages 0-5 (Infants and Toddlers):
o Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Screens for developmental delays in
communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and
personal-social skills.
o Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): Identifies early signs
of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers.
2. Ages 6-11 (School-Aged Children):
o Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Assesses behavioral and emotional
problems.
o Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): Screens for emotional
symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship
problems, and prosocial behavior.
3. Ages 12-18 (Adolescents):
o Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (APA): Evaluates psychiatric symptoms
across various domains including mood, anxiety, behavior, and substance use.
o Youth Self-Report (YSR): Self-report version of the CBCL for adolescents.
Interview Techniques
1. Ages 0-5:
o Observation and Play: Use of dolls or observing the child's interactions with
toys can reveal developmental milestones, social skills, and emotional expression.
2. Ages 6-11:
o Structured Interviews: Use age-appropriate language and include open-ended
questions about feelings, relationships with family and friends, school
performance, and any concerns they may have.
3. Ages 12-18:
o Semi-Structured Interviews: Include more direct questions about mood, peer
relationships, academic performance, substance use, risk behaviors, and future
plans.
o Adolescent Self-Report: Encourage honesty and provide privacy to foster trust
and openness.
Techniques for All Ages:
Developmental Considerations: Adapt questions and interaction styles based on the
child's cognitive and emotional development.
Family Involvement: Obtain collateral information from caregivers to corroborate the
child's report and gain a broader understanding of the family dynamics.
MORE SCREENING TOOLS
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): A semi-structured, standardized
assessment used for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tools:
Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ): Used to assess symptoms of autism
in children ages 4 and older.
Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y): Assesses the severity of depression in
children and adolescents.
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS): A comprehensive assessment tool to
identify a child’s mental health needs and strengths.
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): A broad-spectrum tool that assesses emotional and
behavioral problems in children.
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ): Screens for a history of trauma or abuse.
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): Screens for suicidal ideation and
behaviors in children and adolescents.
Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS): Primarily used for diagnosing ADHD, but also
screens for behavioral and emotional disorders.
Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children (DSRS): Identifies depressive symptoms in
children.
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): Identifies early signs of autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers.
Pediatric PTSD Checklist (PCL-5): Screens for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) in children and adolescents.
Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC): A brief screening tool for identifying children with
emotional, behavioral, and developmental problems.
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED): Screens for anxiety disorders in
children and adolescents.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): Identifies emotional symptoms, conduct
problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, and prosocial behaviors.
The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS): A comprehensive interview-based tool
for diagnosing anxiety disorders in children.
The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale: Specifically used to assess ADHD
symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The Youth Self-Report (YSR): A self-report tool used by adolescents to assess their own
behavioral and emotional problems.
ADHD-Connors (CPRS) & Vanderbilt
Anxiety-ADIS (diagnosing), SCARED
Autism-ADOS (diagnosing), M-CHAT (early signs), SCQ (symptoms)
Behavioral, Emotional, Developmental-PSC (symptoms), YSR (self-reported)
Conduct, hyperactivity, social-SDQ
Depression-BDY-I (Becks), DSRS (self-rating)
PTSD-PCL-5 (symptoms)
S2BI (screening to brief intervention)
BSTAD (alcohol, tobacco and drugs)
