Respond to your colleague by offering additional insights or alternative perspectives on their diagnosis or provide alternate next questions and why you selected those.
NOTE( POSITIVE COMMENT)
Main Post
Importance of Developmental Assessment
Developmental assessment for adolescents and children is important for various reasons. The assessments are carried out because of a concern associated with the child’s developmental disorder or delay (Sadock, 2014). Hence, such assessments can help identify potential developmental problems and the necessity for further diagnostic assessments. Also, they can offer an objective description of the child’s deficits and abilities, establish suitability for programs, and assist in the preparation of suitable interventions. A psychological evaluation is recommended to children and adolescents for numerous reasons. One reason is that children and adolescents may have behavior or even attention issues both in school and at home. Other reasons are that some kids and adolescents could be subjected to mistreatment or bullying, be anxious, or even depressed or have learning disorders (Angold, & Costello, 2000). Usually, when children and adolescents have learning difficulties or appear to be developmentally behind compared to their peers, they are most likely advised to go through a psychological evaluation. That kind of assessment is essential since the results help individuals know the areas that the child and adolescents do well in and those areas that need to be addressed (King, 1997). Generally, carrying out a psychiatric evaluation helps to promote children’s and adolescent’s improvement in emotional functioning and even their academics. It allows psychologists to develop appropriate strategies to assist these children and adolescents in realizing or achieving their full capabilities.
Two Assessment Tools
The two assessment tools are related to diagnostic interviews. The first instrument is the MINI Kid (Mini international neuropsychiatric interview for children and adolescents. The instrument covers a broader range of diagnosis which are apply to both children and adolescents. Its validity and reliability have been tested and is recognized as a useful tool in diagnosing adolescents and children. The other instrument is CAPA (child and adolescent psychiatric assessment) which is a structured interview that covers the age range between nine to seventeen. It evaluates those disorders that impair cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or physical functioning. The instruments are used in children and adolescents and not children because first the child and adolescents setting are different from those of the adults and hence the triggering factors may be different and so does the interview questions (APA, 2013). Second, adolescents and children are at a continuous developmental stage and hence the internal factors such as cognition and behavior may vary from adults and hence the lack of use. Also, the assessment for children and adolescent is complex and since the adults were once children and adolescents, the use of such instruments may not be necessary. Lastly, what may affect a child, or an adolescent may fade in adulthood.
Treatment Options
One of the treatment options in adolescents and children that may not be used in adults is related to ADHD treatment Sadock, (2014). This includes the use of Clonidine. This is because this treatment option helps symptoms such as aggression, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, all of which may diminish in adulthood and hence not highly prescribed in adults. The second treatment option is the play therapy. Although such play therapies related to recreation and art are recommended for adults, others such as playing with toys, and other children items are not used. This is because such techniques are meant to assess the functional attributes of children hence not effective in adults.
Role of parents
Parents play a crucial role in the treatment and assessment of children and adolescents. First is offering support and encouragement during both processes. They also ensure that the process is done successfully through effective collaboration and engagement. Parents’ engagement in psychiatric evaluation and treatment is vital. Their involvement gives them the opportunity, from the beginning, to ask relevant queries and contribute toward the various treatments and even numerous supports that are recommended for the child. There are others essential role that parents play in the evaluation and treatment process since they give valuable information concerning their children and also give ideas, proficiency, and insight regarding the approaches that work excellently for their children and families (Romanelli et al., 2009). Parents are also expected to put into action strategies in their homes to support their children to achieve their treatment goals. Asking questions is also essential since it helps parents to learn more concerning their children’s mental disorders or statuses. Generally, parents are a crucial asset in the entire evaluation and treatment procedure since their involvement positively affects the treatment’s outcome. Also, parents’ involvement empowers them to keep on nurturing their children’s development.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.Sadock, B. J. (2014). Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: behavioral science/clinical psychiatry. 11th.
Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2000). The child and adolescent psychiatric assessment(CAPA). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(1), 39-48.
King, R. A. (1997). Practice parameters for the psychiatric assessment of children and adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(10), 4S-20S.
Romanelli, L. H., Landsverk, J., Mass, J., Levitt, L. K. L., Hurley, M. M., Bellonci, C., … & Peter, S. (2009). Best practices for mental health in child welfare: Screening, assessment, and treatment guidelines. Mental Health Services for Children Placed in Foster Care: An Overview of Current Challenges, 88(1).
