Screening & Assessment Tools for the Pediatric Practice
Screening & Assessment Tools referenced below are evidenced based, free for use, and accessible by public domain
*disclaimer: Items contained on this page were originally accessed online and promoted as free use. Please contact CoPPCAP directly for any questions or concerns related to copyright. Use of mental health screening tools does not constitute diagnosis. If you or anyone else you know of is experiencing mental health concerns, please contact your primary care physician, a mental health professional, or contact the services listed on the "Crisis Support" page
- screening & assessment measures specific to a disorder, concern, or problem area
- screening & assessment measures that are broad based, targeting generalized problem areas
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Acronynm | Name | Age | Completed By | Click for English Version | Click for Spanish Version | Dx Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADHD Rating Scale IV - Preschool Version | ADHD Rating Scale IV - Preschool Version | 3 - 5 | Caregiver | √ | ADHD | |
Vanderbilt | NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale Diagnostic Rating Scale | 6 - 12 | Caregiver, Teacher | √ | √ | ADHD |
SNAP-IV | Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP) Questionnaire – IV | 6 - 18 | Caregiver, Teacher | √ | √ | ADHD |
WURS | Wender Utah Rating Scale | 18+ | Self-Report | √ | ADHD | |
MOAS | Modified Overt Aggression Scale | 13+ | Clinician; Caregiver | √ | Aggression | |
GAD-7 | Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment | 13+ | Self-Report | √ | √ | Anxiety |
SCARED | Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders | 8 - 18 | Caregiver; Self-Report | √ | √ | Anxiety |
SCAS | Spence Children's Anxiety Scale | preschool version 2.5 - 6.5; child version 8 - 15 | Preschool; Child; Caregiver | √ | √ | Anxiety |
M-CHAT-R | Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised | 16 - 30 months | Caregiver | √ | √ | Autism |
MDQ | Mood Disorder Questionnaire | 11+ | Caregiver; Self-Report | √ | √ | Bipolar |
CES-DC | Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children | 6 - 17 | Self-Report | √ | Depression | |
EPDS | Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale | 18+ | Self-Report | √ | √ | Depression |
PHQ-9 | Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item | 12+ | Self-Report | √ | √ | Depression |
PHQ-9A | Patient Health Questionnaire - 9A (modified for teens) | 13 - 18 | Self-Report | √ | √ | Depression |
SMFQ | Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire | 6 - 18 | Caregiver; Self-Report | √ | √ | Depression |
SWYC | The Survey of Well-being of Young Children | 2 - 60 months | Caregiver | √ | √ | Development |
EAT-26 | Eating Attitudes Test | 12 - 18+ | Self-Report | √ | Eating Disorders | |
Brief ECSA | Brief Early Childhood Screening Assessment | 18 - 60 months | Caregiver | √ | Social-Emotional Development | |
PSC-17 | Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 item | 4 - 18 | Caregiver | √ | √ | Social-Emotional Development |
PSC-Y-17 | Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Youth - 17 item | 11 - 18 | Self-Report | √ | √ | Social-Emotional Development |
PPSC | Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist | 18 - 60 months | Caregiver | √ | √ | Social-Emotional Development |
CRAFFT | CRAFFT | 14 - 21 | Self-Report | √ | √ | Substance Abuse |
S2BI | Screening to Brief Intervention | 12 - 17 | Self-Report | √ | Substance Abuse | |
ASQ | Ask Suicide Screening Questions | 10 - 24 | Self-Report | √ | √ | Suicide |
C-SSRS | Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale | 5+ | Interview | √ | √ | Suicide |
ACE-IQ | ACE International Questionnaire | 18+ | Self-Report | √ | √ | Trauma |
CPSS | Child PTSD Symptom Scale | 8 - 18 | Self-Report | √ | Trauma | |
CATS | Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen | 3 - 17 | Caregiver; Self-Report | √ | Trauma | |
PC-PTSD | Primary Care PTSD Screen | 13+ | Self-Report | √ | Trauma | |
THS-Y | Trauma History Screener - Youth | 3 - 18 | Caregiver; Self-Report | √ | √ | Trauma |
TESI-C | Traumatic Events Screening Inventory – Child | 6 - 18 | Self-Report | √ | Trauma | |
YC-PTSD | Young Child PTSD Screen | 3 - 6 | Caregiver | √ | Trauma |
ADHD Rating Scale IV - Preschool Version
ADHD Rating Scale IV - Preschool Version
age range:
3 - 5
ADHD
The ADHD Rating Scale-IV obtains parent ratings regarding the frequency of each ADHD symptom based on DSM-IV criteria. Parents are asked to determine symptomatic frequency that describes the child’s home behavior over the previous 6 months. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV is completed independently by the parent and scored by a clinician. The scale consists of 2 subscales: inattention (9 items) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (9 items). If 3 or more items are skipped, the clinician should use extreme caution in interpreting the scale. Results from this rating scale alone should not be used to make a diagnosis.
english
spanish
Vanderbilt
NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale Diagnostic Rating Scale
age range:
6 - 12
ADHD
The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale is a 55-question assessment tool that reviews symptoms of ADHD. It also looks for other conditions such as conduct disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, anxiety, and depression.
english
spanish
SNAP-IV
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP) Questionnaire – IV
age range:
6 - 18
ADHD
The SNAP-IV 18-item scale is an abbreviated version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP) Questionnaire (Swanson, 1992;Swanson et al., 1983). Items from the DSM-IV criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are included for the two subsets of symptoms: Inattention (items 1–9) and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (items 10–18).
english
spanish
WURS
Wender Utah Rating Scale
age range:
18+
ADHD
The WURS evaluates adults with suspicion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder based on symptoms that they might have experienced during childhood. This form uses the condensed, 25-item version of the scale, the one with the most relevant items for ADHD
english
spanish
MOAS
Modified Overt Aggression Scale
age range:
13+
Aggression
The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) is a behavioral rating scale that is used to evaluate and document the frequency and severity of aggressive episodes. It consists of four categories: verbal aggression, aggression against objects, aggression against self, and aggression against others. Each category has five responses, which can be used to track the patient's aggressive behavior over time. The MOAS is one of the most widely used measures for violence and aggression.
english
spanish
GAD-7
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment
age range:
13+
Anxiety
The Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) is a seven-item instrument that is used to measure or assess the severity of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Each item asks the individual to rate the severity of his or her symptoms over the past two weeks.
english
spanish
SCARED
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders
age range:
8 - 18
Anxiety
The SCARED is a child and parent self-report instrument used to screen for childhood anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. In addition, it assesses symptoms related to school phobias.
english
spanish
SCAS
Spence Children's Anxiety Scale
age range:
preschool version 2.5 - 6.5; child version 8 - 15
Anxiety
The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) is a psychological questionnaire designed to identify symptoms of various anxiety disorders, specifically social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder/agoraphobia, and other forms of anxiety, in children and adolescents between ages 8 and 15. Developed by Susan H. Spence and available in various languages, the 45 question test can be filled out by the child or by the parent. There is also another 34 question version of the test specialized for children in preschool between ages 2.5 and 6.5. Any form of the test takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
english
spanish
M-CHAT-R
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised
age range:
16 - 30 months
Autism
The M-CHAT-R, which stands for Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up, is a screening tool for parents to assess their child's risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).The M-CHAT-R/F is an autism screening tool designed to identify children 16 to 30 months of age who should receive a more thorough assessment for possible early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental delay.
english
spanish
MDQ
Mood Disorder Questionnaire
age range:
11+
Bipolar
The MDQ is a self-report questionnaire designed to help detect bipolar disorder. It focuses on symptoms of hypomania and mania, which are the mood states that separate bipolar disorders from other types of depression and mood disorder. It has 5 main questions, and the first question has 13 parts, for a total of 17 questions. The MDQ was originally tested with adults, but it also has been studied in adolescents ages 11 years and above. It takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. In 2006, a parent-report version was created to allow for assessment of bipolar symptoms in children or adolescents from a caregiver perspective.
english
spanish
EPDS
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
age range:
18+
Depression
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a set of 10 screening questions that can indicate whether a parent has symptoms that are common in women with depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the year following the birth of a child.
english
spanish
PHQ-9
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item
age range:
12+
Depression
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders. The PHQ-9 is the depression module, which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day).
english
spanish
PHQ-9A
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9A (modified for teens)
age range:
13 - 18
Depression
The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the patient health questionnaire.* It is one of the most validated tools in mental health and can be a powerful tool to assist clinicians with diagnosing depression and monitoring treatment response. The nine items of the PHQ-9 are based directly on the nine diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM 5.
english
spanish
SMFQ
Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire
age range:
6 - 18
Depression
The Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-short), child version, is an 13 item subscale from a longer 33-item questionnaire (the original MFQ). This instrument should be used an indicator of depressive symptoms and not as a diagnostic tool and therefore does not indicate whether a child or adolescent has a particular disorder. Diagnoses of mental disorder should only be made by a trained clinician after a thorough evaluation.
english
spanish
SWYC
The Survey of Well-being of Young Children
age range:
2 - 60 months
Development
The Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC)™ is a freely-available, comprehensive screening instrument for children under 5 years of age. The SWYC was written to be simple to answer, short, and easy to read. The entire instrument requires 15 minutes or less to complete and is straightforward to score and interpret. The SWYC is approved by MassHealth for compliance with the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative screening guidelines. The SWYC is copyright © 2010 Tufts Medical Center. Every SWYC form includes sections on developmental milestones, behavioral/emotional development, and family risk factors. At certain ages, a section for Autism-specific screening is also included. Age-specific SWYC forms are available for each age on the pediatric periodicity schedule from 2 to 60 months.
english
spanish
EAT-26
Eating Attitudes Test
age range:
12 - 18+
Eating Disorders
The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT, EAT-26), created by David Garner, is a widely used self-report questionnaire 26-item standardized self-report measure of symptoms and concerns characteristic of eating disorders. The EAT has been a particularly useful screening tool to assess "eating disorder risk" in high school, college and other special risk samples such as athletes. Screening for eating disorders is based on the assumption that early identification can lead to earlier treatment, thereby reducing serious physical and psychological complications or even death. Furthermore, EAT has been extremely effective in screening for anorexia nervosa in many populations.
english
spanish
PSC-17
Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 item
age range:
4 - 18
Social-Emotional Development
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist is a 17 item screening questionnaire listing a broad range of children's emotional and behavioral problems that reflects parents' impressions of their child's psychosocial functioning. The screen is intended to facilitate the recognition of emotional and behavioral problems so that appropriate interventions can be initiated as early as possible. The PSC-17 is used to screen for childhood emotional and behavioral problems including those of attention, externalizing, and internalizing.
english
spanish
PSC-Y-17
Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Youth - 17 item
age range:
11 - 18
Social-Emotional Development
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Youth - 17 is a 17 item screening questionnaire listing a broad range of behavioral and psychosocial problems in youth. The screen is intended to facilitate the recognition of emotional and behavioral problems so that appropriate interventions can be initiated as early as possible. The PSC-Y-17 is used to screen for emotional and behavioral problems including those of attention, externalizing, internalizing, and suicidal ideation.
english
spanish
PPSC
Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist
age range:
18 - 60 months
Social-Emotional Development
The Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PPSC) is a social/emotional screening instrument for children 18–60 months of age. The PPSC was created as one part of a comprehensive screening instrument designed for pediatric primary care and is modeled after the Pediatric Symptom Checklist.
english
spanish
CRAFFT
CRAFFT
age range:
14 - 21
Substance Abuse
The CRAFFT Screening Test is a short clinical assessment tool designed to screen for substance-related risks and problems in adolescents. CRAFFT stands for the key words of the 6 items in the second section of the assessment - Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble.
english
spanish
S2BI
Screening to Brief Intervention
age range:
12 - 17
Substance Abuse
The Screening to Brief Intervention (S2BI) tool consists of frequency of use questions to categorize substance use by adolescent patients ages 12-17 into different risk categories. The accompanying resources assist clinicians in providing patient feedback and resources for follow-up.
english
spanish
ASQ
Ask Suicide Screening Questions
age range:
10 - 24
Suicide
The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit is a free resource for medical settings (emergency department, inpatient medical/surgical units, outpatient clinics/primary care) that can help nurses or physicians successfully identify youth at risk for suicide.
english
spanish
ACE-IQ
ACE International Questionnaire
age range:
18+
Trauma
The ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) is intended to measure ACEs in all countries, and the association between them and risk behaviours in later life. ACE-IQ is designed for administration to people aged 18 years and older. Questions cover family dysfunction; physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect by parents or caregivers; peer violence; witnessing community violence, and exposure to collective violence.
english
spanish
CPSS
Child PTSD Symptom Scale
age range:
8 - 18
Trauma
The CPSS is designed to assess PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity in children ages 8–18 who have experienced a traumatic event. It has 24-items, 17 of which correspond to the DSM-IV symptoms. Each of the 17 items is rated on a scale from 0 to 3 with total score ranging from 0 to 51.
english
spanish
CATS
Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen
age range:
3 - 17
Trauma
The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) questionnaire is a brief, freely accessible screening instrument based on the DSM-5 criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a measure of potentially traumatic events and of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
english
spanish
TESI-C
Traumatic Events Screening Inventory – Child
age range:
6 - 18
Trauma
The TESI-C protocol is a guide for clinical and/or research interviewing to screen for a child's history of exposure to potentially traumatic experiences. The interview includes 16 items that survey the domains of potential traumatic experiences.
english
spanish
YC-PTSD
Young Child PTSD Screen
age range:
3 - 6
Trauma
The YCPS is intended to quickly screen for PTSD in the acute aftermath of traumatic events (2-4 weeks after an event) and/or in settings where there would not be time for longer assessments or more in-depth mental health assessment is not available. The screen is not intended for a general assessment of PTSD or to make a diagnosis.
english
spanish