The document outlines procedures for conducting a psychosocial assessment of children and adolescents. It includes using play, projective drawings, and physical activity to build comfort and obtain perspective on a child's world. Directed assessments include interviews, a "castle or playhouse" activity with figures, and a "draw a person" test. The interview explores emotions, important events, and what the child expects the interviewer to know. The drawing is used to obtain a narrative on who and what is depicted, to transition to talking about the self. "Three wishes" questions avoid directly asking for wishes to make life better. Parent and self-rating scales are also included.

1. The CTAC Psychosocial Assessment For Later Childhood and Adolescence

2. Purpose Gain perspective of the child’s world To learn more about how and what they perceive what has happened and what is happening to them now

3. Procedure Depending on age, developmental ability, history of trauma May be via Play, Projective Drawings, Physical Activity to obtain comfort and trust Creation of a collaborative, shared experience

4. Directed Assessments Include Interview Play (Castle or Playhouse and People-Figures and Objects) Physical Activity (Playing catch or “basket-Basket Ball while sitting and conversing) Draw A Person

5. Interview Explore range of emotion When does he feel good, bad, etc Describe a time she felt good, bad, worried etc Use 0-10 range of feeling, 0 equals no feeling, 10 equals the most (mad, sad, worried etc) he can imagine. What did she do when she felt this?

6. Interview Use information he would expect the interviewer to know, i.e. Had to leave foster home. Explore what these events were like.

7. Projective Drawing: Draw A Person Test “ I’d like you to draw a picture of a person. It can be anyone you like, real or pretend, doing anything you would like. The only rule is that it is a whole person, instead of a stick person” Allow for the picture to be drawn without interruption, unless they begin conversation. If picture takes a long, long time use judgement as to beginning the rest of the interview .

8. Projective Drawing When done, ask for narrative. The most important information is Who the person is How old the person is What the person is doing “in the picture” and How he is thinking or feeling “in the picture”. With smooth transition, use the drawing as springboard to talking about self.

9. Three Wishes If you had three wishes, what would you change about your life to make it better Avoid asking what three things would you wish for Family things different/better. Consider developmental issues and adjust directions, i.e. had all the power in the world, had a fairy godmother

10. Parent or Self Rating Scales Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) ADHD Rating Scale Sensory Profile Child Sexual Behavioral Inventory (CSBI)

11. This presentation is part of a comprehensive professional education and training project created by the SW Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services which funds the National Children’s Trauma Stress Network