title: Approaches to the Assessment of Children in the Context of Disasters.
abstract: Children exposed to disasters are a vulnerable population, making the assessment of children post-disaster an important issue. Utilizing a Multiple Gating Stepped Care framework, we highlight recent literature related to post-disaster assessment and intervention for children. In particular, we focus on screening, clinical evaluation, and feedback-informed service delivery. Screening allows large populations of children to be assessed at a relatively low cost. Children identified by screening as being at risk may then be assessed through more in-depth clinical evaluations, in order to assess clinical symptoms, strengths, and stressors, and to make determinations about appropriate interventions. Continued assessment during therapy provides important feedback for the delivery of appropriate care. New formats for assessment, as well as issues related to identifying sources for assessment, are discussed. Recommendations for future directions are provided.
authors.affiliation: Georgia State University, 1 Park Place, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA. blai@gsu.edu.
authors.forename: Betty S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Clayton Campus, 21 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alisic
authors.affiliation: Georgia State University, 1 Park Place, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
authors.forename: Rayleen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: School of Human, Health, and Social Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, Queensland, 4701, Australia.
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ronan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Assessment; Children; Disasters; Posttraumatic stress