Young Child PTSD Screen [YC-PTSD-S]

Description

The Young Child PTSD Screen (YC-PTSD-S) is a brief, developmentally sensitive screening tool designed to identify post-traumatic stress symptoms in young children. It is completed by caregivers and is intended to rapidly determine whether a child may require further clinical evaluation or treatment.

Purpose

The YC-PTSD-S is designed primarily for use during the first 2–4 weeks following a traumatic event. It is not intended to provide a full diagnosis of PTSD, but rather to identify children who may need referral for specialized clinical assessment or intervention.

Traumatic Events and Symptoms

Caregivers report whether the child has experienced traumatic events such as accidents, natural or human-made disasters, abuse, or witnessing violence. They also assess symptoms including nightmares, sleep difficulties, strong reactions to reminders of the event, and increased irritability.

Interpretation

The screen is considered positive when caregivers endorse at least two symptoms. The overall score is not the primary focus; two “yes” responses are considered sufficient to indicate the need for referral for clinical treatment or further assessment.

References

Scheeringa, M. S. (2009). Posttraumatic stress disorder. In C. H. Zeanah (Ed.), Handbook of Infant Mental Health.

Cohen, J. A., & Scheeringa, M. S. (2009). Post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis in children: Challenges and promises. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(1), 91–99.

Scheeringa, M. S., Weems, C. F., Cohen, J. A., Amaya-Jackson, L., & Guthrie, D. (2010). Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in three- through six-year-old children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.