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“For those in training to do psychological evaluations and write professional reports, this book is an invaluable tool....It could serve as a companion text in any graduate psychology training course on assessment in both psychological and educational domains.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy (on the first edition)


“Chapters on standard terms and statements that can be used in reports are invaluable, especially for early career professionals and graduate students. The excellent chapter on general guidelines for presenting test results in a report gives clinicians language to report results clearly to both professionals and parents….This excellent book contains everything child clinicians need to write up a psychological assessment. This is an invaluable resource for students, early career professionals, and seasoned clinicians. The second edition is needed because of the use of DSM-5 and ICD-10-CM codes, as well as current psychological instruments.”

—Doody's Review Service


“This book is an extremely valuable tool for writing well-organized and useful psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents. It provides very smart, practical guidance about organizing and adapting evaluations to the specific needs of individual students. Beginning and experienced clinicians alike will find this handbook a rich resource, and it should be used in training future practitioners. I strongly recommend it.”

—Thomas E. Brown, PhD, private practice, Manhattan Beach, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California


“Understanding what is going on with a child behaviorally, cognitively, and emotionally, and delivering the message to the family, is the first step in effective treatment. Braaten skillfully navigates the critical process of evaluating complex psychological and neuropsychological issues in children and adolescents. This up-to-date second edition not only covers the basics, but also highlights contemporary thinking related to children’s behavioral health. Braaten's pragmatic approach makes this a highly readable resource for myriad mental health and pediatric professionals who work with youth.”

—Timothy E. Wilens, MD, Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School


“This book carefully guides the reader from start to finish in the report-writing process. Trainees often find composing their first reports to be daunting. Braaten demystifies this task and delves into special topics—for example, considerations when preparing reports for school-based evaluations. I expect this book to be instrumental when used in graduate-level training. Students will find it an invaluable resource to return to repeatedly when transitioning to new clinical environments, such as during externship and internship rotations.”

—Andres De Los Reyes, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park


“Braaten has done it again with this fantastic second edition of her go-to handbook. This edition is updated for DSM-5 and includes recent advances in testing and assessment. The book's accessibility, logical chapter organization, excellent examples, and reproducible forms make it indispensable for any child clinician. Topics include how to begin the initial interview, interact with parents, gather information from teachers, assemble a comprehensive history, conduct testing, interpret the results, and, of course, write the report—this manual has it all!”

—Lee A. Rosén, PhD, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University

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Table of Contents

Introduction

I. Questions for Conducting a Psychological Evaluation of a Child or Adolescent

1. Beginning the Interview

2. Questions for Parents on Signs, Symptoms, and Behavior Patterns

3. Observation Procedures and Questions for Children and Adolescents

4. Questions for Teachers or Other Professionals

5. The Formal Mental Status Exam with Children and Adolescents

6. Ending the Interview

II. Standard Terms and Statements for Wording Psychological Reports

7. Beginning the Report

8. Reasons for Referral

9. History of Current Symptoms

10. Medical and Psychiatric Background Information

11. Developmental and Family History

12. Academic and School History

13. Behavioral Observations

14. Attitude toward Testing

15. Affective Symptoms and Mood/Anxiety Disorders

16. Childhood Behavioral and Cognitive Disorders

17. Home and Family

18. School

19. Social and Work Relationships, Recreational Activities

20. General Guidelines for Presenting Test Results in a Report

21. Tests of Intellectual Functioning

22. Achievement Measures

23. Tests of Language Functioning

24. Memory Tests

25. Tests of Visual–Spatial and Motor Skills

26. Measures of Executive and Neuropsychological Functioning

27. Measures of Emotional and Personality Functioning

28. Behavior Rating Scales and Tests of Adaptive Functioning

29. Diagnostic Statements/Impressions

30. Summary of Findings and Conclusions

31. Recommendations

32. Closing Statements

III. Special Circumstances and Useful Resources

33. Writing for the Schools

34. Treatment Planning

35. Report Formats and Sample Reports

36. Resources for Professionals

37. Resources for Parents

38. Medications

39. Abbreviations in Common Use

40. Useful Forms

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About the Author

Ellen Braaten, PhD, is Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Co-Director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH, and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School (HMS). She has been affiliated with MGH and HMS since 1998. Dr. Braaten is widely recognized for her expertise in pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. Her research and numerous publications focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, gender and psychopathology, intelligence, and assessment. She has published numerous books for professionals and parents, including Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up.

• Author's website
• All titles by Ellen Braaten
• Sign up for emails on upcoming titles by Ellen Braaten (with special discounts)!

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Audience

Clinical child/adolescent psychologists, psychiatrists, school psychologists, and social workers.

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Course Use

Serves as a supplemental text in graduate-level child assessment courses.

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

First Edition, © 2007
ISBN: 9781593853952

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New to this edition:

• Revised throughout for DSM-5 and ICD-10-CM.
• Includes the most current test batteries and rating scales.
• Updated resources for professionals and parents.
• Reproducible materials now available online.