Child Psychology

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Measures of intelligence and educational achievement are often valuable. Thus if mental development and achievement are inconsistent with chronological or mental age or with the expectations of parents or teachers this may indicate a generalized or specific disorder of development or may indicate a source of stress in disorders of other kinds. Projective tests are not recommended because it is difficult to score them reliably and their validity is doubtful.

Psycological assessment

The aims of assessment are to obtain a clear account of the presenting problem, to find out how this problem is related to the child's past development and his present life in its psychological and social context, and to plan treatment of the child and family.

The psychiatric assessment of children differs in several ways from that of adults:

. A more flexible approach With children it is often difficult to follow a set routine: a flexible approach to interviewing is required, though it is still important that information and observations are recorded systematically.

. Interview family members .Both parents should be asked to attend the assessment interview, and it is often helpful to have other siblings present.

. Information from schools Time can be saved by asking permission to obtain information from teachers before the child attends the clinic.

This information should be concerned with the child's behaviour in school and his educational attainments.

Child psychiatrists vary in their methods of assessment. All agree that it is important to see the family together at some stage to observe how they interact. Some psychiatrists do this before seeing the patient alone, others do it afterward. It is generally better to see an adolescent patient on his own before seeing the parents. With younger children the main informants are usually the parents, but children over the age of 6 should usually be seen on their own at some stage. In the special case of suspected child abuse, the interview with the child is; particularly important. Whatever the problem, the parents should be made to feel that the interview is supportive and does not undermine their confidence.