The Child and Adolescent Trauma
Screen (CATS)
From the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: “The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) questionnaire is a brief, freely accessible screening instrument based on the DSM-5 criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a measure of potentially traumatic events and of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
Why CATs-2
Current trauma measures for youth lack psychometric properties, the ability to use with refugees, measurement of both exposure and symptomology of trauma, and are outdated with the current DSM-V criteria. The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) is a measure that has been developed to fill this gap in both research and clinical practice.
Comprehensive and up to date
The CATS can be administered as a self-report or interview and is appropriate for pre-schoolers, children, and adolescents. There is a self-report measure for 7-17-year-old children/youth, and two caregiver versions; one for 3-6 year old children and one for 7-17 year old children/youth. The younger child version conforms to the DSM-5 3-6 year old PTSD symptom criteria.
Fits pre-schoolers, children and adolescents
VERSATILITY
The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) questionnaire is a free, brief, empirically derived measure that was intended as a trauma screen for use across child-serving systems. The CATS may be part of routine assessment procedures and/or occur at a later point with the assigned clinician. It may be used as a stand-alone screening or be part of a larger assessment and clinical interview.