Full Answer Section

• Prevent the child or adolescent’s mental health problems from getting worse.
• Identify any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the child or adolescent’s mental health problems.

The assessment should be conducted by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. The assessment will typically include a combination of the following:

• A medical history and physical examination
• A mental status examination
• Interviews with the child or adolescent and their parents or guardians
• Psychological testing
• Other assessments, such as educational or social assessments

Describe two different symptom rating scales that would be appropriate to use during the psychiatric assessment of a child/adolescent.

There are a number of different symptom rating scales that can be used during the psychiatric assessment of a child or adolescent. Two examples of commonly used symptom rating scales are:

• The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): The CBCL is a parent-report measure that assesses a child’s behavior across a variety of domains, including emotional problems, conduct problems, and attention problems. [1]
• The Conners’ Rating Scales (CRS): The CRS is a parent-report and teacher-report measure that assesses a child’s attention problems, hyperactivity, and oppositional defiant behavior. [2]

These scales can be used to help assess the severity of a child or adolescent’s mental health problems and to track their progress over time.

Describe two psychiatric treatment options for children and adolescents that may not be used when treating adults.

There are a number of different psychiatric treatment options available for children and adolescents. Some treatment options that may not be used when treating adults include:

• Parent training: Parent training is a type of therapy that teaches parents how to manage their child’s behavior. This may include teaching parents how to set limits, how to provide positive reinforcement, and how to deal with problem behaviors.
• Play therapy: Play therapy is a type of therapy that uses play to help children express their feelings and work through their problems. This may involve using toys, games, and art to help children communicate their thoughts and feelings.
• Family therapy: Family therapy is a type of therapy that involves the child, their parents, and other family members. This type of therapy can help to improve communication and problem-solving skills within the family.

Explain the role parents/guardians play in assessment.

Parents or guardians play an important role in the assessment of a child or adolescent’s mental health. They can provide information about the child or adolescent’s behavior, their medical history, and their family history. They can also provide support to the child or adolescent during the assessment process.

Support your response with at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly.

Here are the three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources that I used to support my response:

1. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2022). Psychiatric assessment of children and adolescents. [1]

This article provides an overview of the psychiatric assessment of children and adolescents. It discusses the purpose of the assessment, the different types of assessments that can be used, and the role of parents or guardians in the assessment process.