SUMMARY OF THE PRACTICE PARAMETERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

This summary provides an overview of the assessment and treatment reco mmendations contained in the Practice Parameters for the Assessment an d Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Diso rder. Major recommendations include the use of clinical interviewing w ith specific questioning about posttraumatic stress symptoms to diagno se this disorder; recognition of developmental considerations that may impact on how posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms manifest in chil dren; and the use of trauma-focused treatment interventions. Limitatio ns and controversies regarding the present state of knowledge in the a rea of childhood posttraumatic stress disorder are also discussed.