Running head: ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

Measuring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children

Teresa R. Hurtgen
Wayne State University

ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

Measuring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder most commonly thought to affect
military veterans who have been exposed to combat. In reality, PTSD can occur in anyone who
has suffered or witnessed any traumatic event. PTSD is a mental health condition which is ongoing for those who are suffering with it.
It is typical for a person who is recovering from a traumatic event to need time to process
the event. A part of processing and coping can include re-living the event, grieving, and reacting
very sensitively after experiencing an event which may be considered significantly terrifying or
impactful to an individual. This processing is typically thought of as bereavement. While
bereavement is not considered to be comfortable, it is progressive and necessary in coping and
helps most to move forward in life. However, when these and other similar reactions are
consistent and do not lessen in a reasonable amount of time, a person may be suffering from
PTSD. PTSD exists when no progression is felt or seen and when coping is recognizably
causing more emotional damage than emotional recovery. PTSD is exemplary in a person who is
not able to progress through their coping. It typically has a large negative impact on the victims
ability to function in life, and has seemingly no resolution to the victim. A person suffering with
PTSD is stuck, but recovery is possible with the proper treatment.
The assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder is an extremely important component in
resolving PTSD. Being familiar with the severity of the trauma greatly influences which
intervention will be most effective. It is pertinent to assess trauma with the utmost sensitivity as
inflicting additional trauma while assessing or intervening may occur. It is important to consider
measuring various aspects of the trauma by way of utilizing multiple tools.
Assessment Tools: The Survey

ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

The particular survey I created is aimed toward children aged four to twelve who are
potentially suffering from PTSD. This survey is structured for an observing adult to complete the
questions in regards to the child. While children are typically very good self-reporters, often
times their personal ideas of their own behaviors tend to be less accurate than an observing adult.
A child may not process or properly recollect a traumatic event, which may lead to specious
results. By having an adult complete the survey, the possibility of incurring additional trauma in
the child may be lessened while you are granted more accurate results in terms of the childs
behaviors. Given that the survey is not a self-assessment, weaknesses will be found in the results
in the sense that not all details of the event are necessarily included. However, as long as this is
accounted for, the survey may still prove to be very useful.
The survey I have assembled takes into consideration the impact of the trauma, previous
traumas and preexisting conditions, as well as current behaviors. I referred to the National
Center for PTSD to gain information when creating my questions. I looked for insight toward the
disorder and created questions based on what type of events cause PTSD, what impacts the
severity of the disorder, and what may be considered symptoms of the disorder. An adult who is
close to the child and familiar with their behaviors, such as a family member or a school
employee/counselor, is the preferred individual to complete this survey. It may then be assessed
by an agency or professional who provides services for children who require assistance with
grief and trauma.
By finding the type of trauma and how directly involved the child is to the trauma may
offer insight as to which interventions may be most effective and are most appropriate. These
questions are asked in a manner where the respondent will select multiple-choice answers based
on what relates most closely to the event and the child. According to the U. S. Department of

ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

Veterans Affairs, PTSD occurs more frequently in children who have suffered more than one
event and have not been offered significant support (2015). Asking about previous traumas and
preexisting conditions, as well as in family members, may offer information as to how well the
child may cope with the traumatic event. These questions were asked in a more open-ended type
of way. For questions regarding any preexisting conditions, a space was provided for any
diagnoses to be listed. Finally, current behaviors in the child were queried in order to measure
any symptoms of PTSD that may be prevalent. Strand, Sarmiento, and Pasquale compare various
assessment tools when measuring PTSD in children and adolescents. They found that many tools
focus more singularly on each of these topics in order to best assess the proper intervention for
the client (2005).
Conclusion
The largest disservice that is yielded in this survey is the lack of detail provided in the
responses. After assessing the responses of the survey, it will not be immediately obvious exactly
where a child is at in terms of their coping with any recent traumatic events. Additional tools will
be necessary before actively engaging in services. However, there is a reason for this. Before
measuring what type of intervention may be most effective, it is first necessary to decide if
services would be beneficial. I incorporated these many various aspects of PTSD while
composing the survey as a preliminary measure in order to assess the need a child may have for
services. I wanted to create a survey that would not only generate an answer to whether or not a
child may benefit from services, but would also provide general intake information and may help
influence what interventions and additional tools may be most effective for each childs
particular situation.

ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

This survey will best assess if a child may require services. It may take for a child to
begin services before finding a particular intervention to be unnecessary or ineffective. Posttraumatic stress disorder is a sensitive condition which has many fluctuating factors. It is most
important for a professional to consider each individual client and how they are handling their
specific situations before proceeding with any interventions.

ASSESSING PTSD IN CHILDREN

References
Strand, V., Sarmiento T., & Pasquale, L. (2005) Assessment and Screening Tools for Trauma in
Children and Adolescents. Bronx, NY: Fordham University.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2015). PTSD: National center for PTSD. Child Measures
of Trauma and PTSD. Retrieved from
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/professional/assessment/child/index.asp

PTSD Assessment Survey

This survey is intended to assess the potential need for services/assistance in coping for
children between the ages of 4 and 12 who have recently experienced a traumatic event.

Name of person completing the survey ________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________
Best contact number ____________________________ Best time to call ______________________________
Complete the following survey to the best of your ability in regards to what you know of the childs experiences and
history. Please note that everything in this survey will be confidential unless a threat to oneself or another is expressed.
Please note that this survey is voluntary. If you do not feel knowledgeable or comfortable enough to answer any of the
following questions, you are not required to do so.
Childs name: __________________________________
Parent/caregivers name: ________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________

Address: ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

1.! What is the childs age in years? _______

2.! Is the child a male or a female?
a.! Male
b.! Female
c.! Other/not comfortable to answer
3.! What is the relationship of the individual completing the survey to the child?
a.! School counselor
b.! School teacher
c.! Parent/caregiver
d.! Relative/family friend (living in the home)
e.! Relative/family friend (not living in the home)
f.! Other: _______________________________
4.! How directly involved was the child and the recent traumatic event? (Choose the most applicable
response.)
a.! The event involved the child alone
b.! The event involved the child and a loved one
c.! The child witnessed the event involving a loved one
d.! The child was told of the event involving a loved one
e.! The child witnessed community violence

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5.! Please select the most applicable type of traumatic event the child experienced.
a.! Sexual abuse or violence
b.! Physical abuse
c.! Neglect
d.! Natural or man-made disasters (e.g. fires, floods, hurricanes, etc.)
e.! Violent crimes (e.g. armed robbery, kidnapping, school shootings, etc.)
f.! Motor vehicle accidents (e.g. automobile accidents, plane crashes, etc.)
g.! Child was exposed to community violence (e.g. school shooting, war, etc.)
h.! Other: _______________________________________________________
6.! How recently did the traumatic event occur?
a.! Within the last week
b.! Within the last month
c.! Within the last 2-6 months
d.! Within the last year
e.! Longer than a year. Approximately how long? ______________________________
7.! When the child tells of the event, do they exhibit any of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a.! Re-telling of the story in the incorrect order
b.! Avoids the topic completely
c.! Appears numb/appears to have no emotion regarding the event
d.! Does not apply
8.! Since the event occurrence, has the child demonstrated any mock-behaviors? (e.g. child exhibits
sexual behaviors inappropriate for their age after experiencing/witnessing sexual abuse, child
engages in play with pretend guns after experiencing/witnessing an event involving gun-use.)
a.! Yes
b.! No
c.! Not sure
9.! Does the child exhibit any of the following signs which may indicate on-going distress? (Select all
that apply.)
a.! Difficulty sleeping
b.! Reported nightmares (related or unrelated to traumatic event)
c.! Change in eating habits
d.! Change in play habits
e.! Expression of separation anxiety/ clinginess
f.! Quick responses/ jumpiness
g.! Persistent fears relating to the event
10.! Has the child experienced any other traumatic events (recurring or non-recurring) prior to the event
being currently reported?
a.! Yes
b.! No
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11.! If yes to the above question, did the child receive any services to help cope with the previous
event(s)?
a.! Yes
b.! No
c.! Not Applicable
12.! Has the child been diagnosed with any preexisting psychiatric disorders? If so, please list all
psychiatric diagnoses.
a.! Yes, ______________________________________________________
b.! No
c.! Not sure
13.! Has the childs parent(s)/caregiver(s) been diagnosed with any preexisting psychiatric
disorders/mental illnesses? If so, please list all diagnoses and relationship of individual to child.
a.! Yes, ______________________________________________________
b.! No
c.! Not sure
14.! What would you rate the childs support system, particularly with the traumatic event?
a.! Very strong (i.e. support is offered and is most likely effective)
b.! Somewhat strong (i.e. support is offered but is possibly ineffective)
c.! Unsure/neutral
d.! Somewhat weak (child most likely does not have effective support)
e.! Very weak (i.e. child most likely does not have support major; e.g. support was lost due to
the traumatic event)
f.! Other, please explain. ______________________________________________________
15.! How would you rate the overall coping skills of the child in regards to the traumatic event?
a.! Very strong
b.! Somewhat strong
c.! Unsure/neutral
d.! Somewhat weak
e.! Very weak
16.! Please list any other important information:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this survey. As it is highly important that confidentiality
be maintained, please be sure that only the appropriate individuals are given access to this document.
Thank you.
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