CNS 540 Flashcards
Ethics
Moral principles adopted by an individual or group that prove the basis or right conduct
Rules/Regulations
Laws created by government agencies (Federal)
Law/Statue
Written by legislative bodies (Congress)
Qualification Level A
No special qualifications to purchase products
Qualification Level B
Certification by or full membership in a professional organization that requires training and expertise in a relevant area of assessment
OR
Masters level in related field and formal training in ethical administration, scoring, and interpretation of clinical assessments
Qualification Level C
High level expertise in test interpretation
Licensure/certification to practice in your state
OR
PhD in related field with formal training in ethical administration scoring and interpretation of clinical assessment
ACA Guidelines for test use qualifications
- Skill in practice/knowledge of the theory relevant to the testing context/type of CNS specialty
- Thorough understanding of testing theory, techniques of test constructions and test-retest reliability and validity
- Working knowledge of sampling techniques, norms, and descriptive correlational and predictive statistics
- Ability to review, select, administer tests appropriate for clients or students and the context of counseling practices
- Skill in administration of tests and interpretation of scores
- knowledge of impact of diversity on testing accuracy, including age, gender, ethnicity, race, disability, and linguistic
- knowledge/skill in the professionally responsible use of assessment/evaluation practice
ACA Code of Ethics - Section E
- The crucial importance of assessments being reliable and valid
- CNS responsibilities NOT to misuse assessment information, to share results with clients, interpretation of results, the use of information
- Informed consent
- Release of data and qualified professionals
- Diagnosis of mental disorders
- Instrument selection
- Scoring/interpretation
- Assessment security
- Multicultural/Diversity issues
- Obsolete assessments/outdated results
- Assessment construction
Ethical/Legal Issues in assessment
- Professional training/competence: knowledge, understanding to select, score, administer, interpret
- Responsibilities of test takers: high standards, knowledgeable, ask questions, listen/read carefully to what needs to be done, know location/schedule of test, follow instructions, report conditions that could have affected performance, know confidentiality
- Test Quality
- Client Welfare Issues: informed consent, confidentiality
- Internet testing: equivalence, appropriate norms, validity, security
- Multicultural differences: Language barriers, validity, reliability, etc
- Responsibility of test use
- Test user qualifications
- Judicial Decisions
- Statues/Regulations
Communicating the Results to the Public
- Discuss assessment Before/After testing
- Use common language: Strengths/Weaknesses
- Results presented simply while accurate/honest
- Percentiles/Stanines should be presented visually
- Statistical/measurement terms defined in simple language with examples
- The public isn’t stupid - don’t treat them as so
Communication with Colleagues
- know what information recipient needs, what they plan to do with it, and what their qualifications are
- Make sure ethical/legal precedes are followed (written release permission from client)
- Verify whether procedures established for test information
- Aim report directly at question asked
Purpose of written reports
- Describe client
- Describe problem
- record results for further use
- means of communication
- recommend appropriate course of action
Purpose of Clinical Assessment
- Diagnosis/screening
- Problem descriptions/case conceptualization
- Selection of treatment procedures
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes/progress
Basic Assessment Report Format
- Title and identifying information
- Reason for referral
- Background information
- Behavioral observations
- Assessment instrument/procedures
- Assessment results/interpretation
- Summary
- Recommendations
Methods of Reporting Test Results
- Group Sessions
- Individual Sessions
- Written Reports
- Computer-generated reports
- Video Approaches
- Oral Reports
Qualities of Well Written Reports
- Avoid jargon/abbreviations
- Refer to self in third person
- Use simple/concise words
- Avoid Redundancies
- Begin paragraphs with strong declarative sentences with supportive details
- Capitalize test titles
Four Phase Model of Feedback Sessions
Phase 1: Establish Rapport
Phase 2: Communication assessment results
Phase 3: Discuss recommendations
Phase 4: Terminate Interview
Common Language
T-Score: Mean = 50; SD = 10
Z-Score: Mean = 0; SD = 1
Stenin Score: Mean = 5; SD = 2
Sten Score: Mean = 5.5; SD = 2
SAT: Mean = 500; SD = 100
GRE: Mean = 150; SD = 10
Deviation IQ: Mean = 100; SD = 15
Developmental Domains
Communication: verbal/nonverbal, receptive/expressive, listening/comprehension
Cognitive Skills: reasoning, thinking, memory, basic achievement in reading, writing, math, problem solving
Physical Development: general growth, motor/sensory, balance, locomotion, walking
Emotional Development: temperament, adjustment, emotional expression, self-concept, attitudes
Social Development: peer/family relationships, interpersonal
Self-Care Skills: drinking, eating, toiling, dressing
Independent Living Skills: functioning individual in home and community, clothing, cooking, transportation, and money management
Work Habits/Adjustment Skills: working independently, maintaining proper work habits, working with employers
Adjustment Problems: agression, hyperactivity, acting out, withdrawal, delinquency, stress, depression
Commonly used assessments for ADHD
Broad
- Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18)
- Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2)
- Connor’s Rating Scales (CRS-R)
Specific
- ADHD System Rating Scale (ADHD-SRS)
- ADD Evaluation Scale (ADDES-2)
- ADH Rating Scale (AD/HD-RS-IV)
- Barkley Home situation Questionairre (HSQ-R)
- Strengths/Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behavior (SWAN)
- Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale (SNAP-IV)
Determining Spectrum Disorders
Communication: Receptive, Expressive, Written Language
Daily Living Domains: Personal, Domestic, Community
Socialization: Interpersonal relationships, play and leisure time, coping skills
Motor Skills: Fine/Gross
Maladaptive Behavior: Internalizing, Externalizing, Other (sucks thumb, wets bed, etc)