Practice parameters for the psychiatric assessment of children and adolescents. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

These practice parameters have been developed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a guide for clinicians evaluating psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. The document focuses on the assessment, diagnostic, and treatment planning process, emphasizing a developmental perspective. The assessment process is intended for all children and adolescents presenting with psychiatric disorders that impair emotional, cognitive, physical, or behavioral functioning to assist the clinician in arriving at accurate diagnoses and in appropriate treatments. Details of the parent and child interviews are presented as well as an outline of specific areas of inquiry necessary for this process. The use of standardized tests and rating scales is addressed. These parameters were previously published in J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1995, 31:1386-1402.