Which assessment tools are appropriate for a 9-year-old presenting with behavioral concerns, and what do they measure?

• A. Only parent report is needed to assess behavior.
• B. They measure academic achievement.
• C. CBCL/YSR, BASC-3, and Vanderbilt scales measure internalizing/externalizing problems, behavioral difficulties, and social functioning via parent/teacher/child reports.
• D. They are designed for adults.

Answer: (C)

In pediatric behavioral assessment, you want tools that are designed for children and that gather information from multiple people who know the child well. The CBCL/YSR, BASC-3, and Vanderbilt scales are exactly that kind of instrument system. They are broad, standardized rating tools that help you understand a child’s emotional and behavioral functioning across different domains and settings.

These scales measure internalizing problems (things like anxiety, sadness, and worry) and externalizing problems (such as aggression, rule-breaking, and conduct issues), along with general behavioral difficulties and aspects of social functioning. Importantly, they collect information from more than one informant—parents, teachers, and, when appropriate, the child themselves—so you get a well-rounded view of how the child behaves at home, in school, and in social contexts. For a 9-year-old, you’d typically use parent and teacher forms, with the child’s input added if feasible to enrich the picture.

These tools focus on behavioral and emotional functioning rather than academic achievement, and they are designed for children and adolescents, not adults. That makes them a good fit for identifying where a child is experiencing problems and how those problems play out across different environments.

So the best choice highlights that these instruments assess internalizing and externalizing problems, general behavioral difficulties, and social functioning, using reports from parents, teachers, and the child.