05 - 5. Scales used in child psychiatry

5. Scales used in child psychiatry

© SPMM Course 5. Scales used in child psychiatry

The Child & Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale:  A rating scale to assess the degree of impairment in functioning due to emotional, behavioural, or psychiatric problems.  It is completed by a clinical staff and takes about 10 minutes.  It is useful for assessing outcome over time and for directing case management activities.  It measures aggression and conduct problems especially in age between 7 to 17 years.

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL):  It records the behavioural problems and competencies of children aged 4 through 16, as reported by their parents or others (e.g., teachers) who know the child well.  The checklist is composed of 113 items in a Likert scale.  The instrument provides three scores: a total score and scores on internalizing behaviours (fearful, shy, anxious, and inhibited) and externalizing behaviours  (Aggressive, antisocial, and under controlled).  This instrument can either be self-administered or administered through an interview. The CBCL can also be used to measure a child's change in behavior over time or following a treatment.  Teacher Report Forms, Youth Self-Reports and Direct Observation Forms are also available for the Child Behavior Checklist.  Two versions of this instrument exist: one for children ages 1 1/2 - 5 and another for ages 6

Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC):  Originally developed in the early 1990s  Fully structured diagnostic interview for making DSM-based diagnoses in children.

Conners Rating Scales  A family of instruments that measure a range of childhood psychopathology  Most commonly used in the assessment of ADHD.  Teacher, parent, and self-report (for adolescents) versions are available  Both short and long (up to 80 items) forms are available with