Documenting Trauma Assessments for Children and Adolescents

The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) is an assessment tool aligned with DSM-5 criteria, designed to evaluate potentially traumatic events and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The CATS can be administered either as a self-report or through an interview and is suitable for preschoolers, children, and adolescents. There are specific self-reported versions for children and youth aged 7-17, as well as there are also two caregiver-reported versions: one tailored for children aged 3-6 and another for those aged 7-17. The version for younger children adheres to the DSM-5 PTSD symptom criteria for the 3-6 age group. An interview format may be more appropriate for younger children or for youth who face challenges with reading comprehension.