At CYARD, we offer assessment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and related disorders. This involves interviewing the child and his/her caregiver(s) and asking them to complete questionnaires. We may also contact other adults with whom the child interacts (e.g., teachers) if consent is provided. The primary goal of this assessment is to fully understand the child’s difficulties (e.g., the type and severity of anxiety) and the context in which they occur. Based on the results of this assessment, treatment recommendations will be offered.

The assessment is critical for determining whether treatment provided at CYARD would likely benefit your child. However, we also provide assessment to families interested in pursuing treatment elsewhere. For example, families who do not reside in the immediate area might seek diagnostic clarification with the intention of identifying a therapist closer to home. We will provide documentation of the assessment results for you to share with the next provider.

Children may not verbalize fears and anxiety. Other signs that anxiety may be present include tantrums, complaints of physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, stomachaches), difficulty concentrating, clinging to caregivers, avoiding certain situations, and putting off certain tasks. An assessment helps to figure out whether these difficulties are related to anxiety, other conditions that are common among children, or both.