General assessment principles

Question 1

What are some environmental considerations when assessing a child?

Answer 1

Specific service delivery settings have different requirements​

For example, acute care versus home health early intervention versus school setting​

Regardless, it is important to consider:​

Time of day​

Setting​

Naturalistic observation​

Family present

Question 2

What is a play based assessment vs an arena assessment?

Answer 2

Play-based Assessments – professionals watch the child interact with selected play materials and with other children​

Arena assessments – all team members observe child at same time​

One team member does the majority of handling

Question 3

When conducting an interview with a child/parent, what are some important things to remember?

Answer 3

Who is the storyteller?​

Crucial to use a family centered approach- support and facilitate active participation in decision making by the child and the family, honor cultural beliefs and child-rearing practices, share honest and unbiased information​

Families know their child and often provide accurate information with the exception of obesity and child abuse

Question 4

Information from PMH during pediatric interview?

Answer 4

Mother’s history related to pregnancy, labor, delivery (WHY?)​

Child’s history related to pregnancy, labor, delivery (WHY?)​

Significant medical history of biological parents and relatives including siblings (WHY?)​

General health status​

Immunizations​

History of major illnesses​

Surgical and medical procedures​

Diagnostic or medical tests

Question 5

Information from current medical history during pediatric interview?

Answer 5

Current signs and symptoms​

Onset, duration, and severity of presenting problem​

Current health-care practitioners involved with child’s care​

Current meds​

Planned medical and surgical interventions​

Current functional and activity levels​

Known allergies to food, medications, substances, etc.​

Use of adaptive equipment or devices

Question 6

Developmental history obtained in pediatric interview?

Answer 6

Growth and nutrition​

Feeding (daily routing, preferences, difficulties)​

Achievement of major milestones ​

Bowel and bladder control/toilet training​

Infant/child temperament

Question 6

Social and educational history obtained in pediatric interview?

Answer 6

Child-caregiver interactions​

Parents/caregivers employment status​

Home layout and environment​

Sleep routine, sleep positions​

Early intervention, child care, school history​

Signs of CAN

Question 6

What is important about head circumference in a pediatric interview

Answer 6

shows us how the brain is developing

Question 7

Topics to discuss with family for health promotion and counseling?

Answer 7

Topics such as home safety, nutrition, immunizations, dental care, back to sleep, lead poisoning, sun exposure, water safety, environmental tobacco smoke, choking prevention

Question 8

What are the “f” words and what do they mean?

Answer 8

Fitness​

Functioning​

Friends​

Family​

Fun​

Future

What we should focus on in assessment and treatment of children