Functional Assessment Scale

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Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale
Numerous therapists use the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). The CAFAS measures the impairment in adolescents with behavioral, substance abuse, emotional, and psychiatric problems (Bates, 2001). The CAFAS is used for individuals age 6 to 17 (Bates, 2001). However, the Preschool and Early Childhood Functional Assessment Scales (PECFAS) should be used for younger children aged 4-7 years old (Bates, 2001). The assessments can be completed within ten minutes and should be completed a health professional who is familiar with the child being assessed. The CAFAS and shows adolescents strengths and weaknesses. Areas the CAFAS measures are school-work, home, community, behavior, emotions, self-harm, thinking, and substance risk behavior (Bates, 2001). As a result, the assessor
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The reliability and validity of the level of functioning have produced mixed results (Bates, 2001). However, according to Bates (2001), most psychologists would say the CAFAS is a proper assessment to use to measure a child’s level of functioning. Higher impairment scores on the CAFAS has been associated with social, child-family, and school related problems. According to Bates (2001), no significant difference was found between gender or racial groups. Therefore, the CAFAS may be a culturally competent assessment. Also, a Spanish version is available for Spanish speaking and writing individuals.
Reliability
According to Bates (2001), the consistent reliability of the CAFAS has not been determined. Bates believes that incontinence of reading low functioning scores causes some problems. However, it is not a weakness of the CFAS. “Reliability coefficients were generated from ratings of subscales, not individual items” (Bates, 2001, p.74). Therefore, it provides no information about the individual behaviors rather than group behaviors.