Acute Stress Checklist (ASC-Kids)
The Acute Stress Checklist for Children (ASC-Kids) - known as the Cuestionario de Estrés Agudo - Niños y Adolescentes (CEA-N) in Spanish - is a brief measure of acute traumatic stress reactions in children and adolescents aged 8 to 17.
Full-length and brief screener versions of the measure are
- available and validated in both English and Spanish
- designed as self-report checklists - but can be read to children ages 8 to 10, or if reading comprehension is a concern
ASC-Kids full length version
Content: The full length version has 29 items that include
- acute traumatic stress symptoms,
- impairment from those symptoms, and
- associated features such as coping and social support.
Scoring: Item ratings can be summed to derive a symptom severity score, or one can estimate the presence / absence of diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder (ASD) based on item ratings. (Note that formal diagnosis of acute stress disorder requires clinical assessment by a trained mental health professional.)
Time required: Completing the full length measure takes about 5-10 minutes.
ASC-Kids brief screeners
Two brief screening versions are also available, for use in settings where a very quick screen of acute distress is required.
Content: These versions include
- 3 or 6 items
- items reflect core categories of acute stress symptoms
Scoring: Item ratings are summed to derive a screener score - established cutoffs suggest the likelihood that the child has significant acute stress symptoms. Positive screening scores suggest the need for additional evaluation.
Time required: Completing the brief screener takes 1-2 minutes.
How can I use the ASC-Kids measure?
Get a copy of the ASC-Kids measure (full length & screeners / English & Spanish) with scoring information.
Please register here to use the ASC-Kids in your setting.
For more information, please contact CPTS.
ASC-Kids References
