CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NEEDS AND STRENGTHS (CANS) 5 - 17
Name - Child/Youth
Ashton
Court File Number
File No.
Effective Date
Age at Time of Assessment
12
Assessment Type
Initial CANS
Current Caregiver
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
Practice Vignette Results
Assessment Performed by
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Example Item
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TRAUMA
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Abuse | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has no evidence or history of sexual abuse. | |
| a. Emotional closeness to Per | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of sexual abuse. | |
| b. Frequency of Abuse | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of sexual abuse. | |
| c. Duration | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of sexual abuse. | |
| d. Force | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of sexual abuse. | |
| e. Reaction to Disclosure | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of sexual abuse. | |
| Physical Abuse | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton was a victim of repeated physical abuse. | |
| Neglect | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Ashton experienced severe neglect as a child as his basic needs were not being met. | |
| Emotional Abuse | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton was a victim of mild there is suspicioin of emotional abuse as a child. | |
| Medical Trauma | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton did not experience life-threatening medical intervention as a child. | |
| Natural Disaster | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton has experienced a natural disaster. | |
| Witness to Family Violence | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton witnessed violence between his family members. | |
| Witness to Community Violence | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton witnessed violence in his community. | |
| Witness/Victim - Criminal Acts | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton witnessed the use of illegal drugs in his home as a child and became a victim of his parents' drug use. |
ADJUSTMENT TO TRAUMA
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustment to Trauma | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton continues to have issues with adjusting to the trauma, which is currently affecting his functioning in at least one domain (at this time, his relationship with authority figures). | |
| Traumatic Grief / Separation | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton may be experiencing some grief or loss due to his inconsistent relationship with his mother and the death of his father. | |
| Intrusions | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton experiences intrusive thoughts. | |
| Attachment | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton is currently having moderate problems with attachment, as shown by his strained relationship with Mrs. Jones. | |
| Dissociation | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton experiences symptoms of dissociation. |
LIFE FUNCTIONING
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family - Nuclear | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Ashton is experiencing severe problems with his relationship with his biological mother, and has shown some jealousy and frustration over having his brother in the home. | |
| Family - Extended | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because while Ashton has little contact with his grandmother and no contact with any other extended family members. | |
| Living Situation | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is having mild problem at the Joneses home, mostly in his interactions with Mrs. Jones. | |
| Developmental | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of developmental problems. | |
| a. Cognitive | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of developmental problems. | |
| b. Autism Spectrum | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of developmental problems. | |
| c. Communication | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of developmental problems. | |
| d. Self Care/Daily Living | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of developmental problems. | |
| Medical | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton is healthy at this time. | |
| a. Life Threat | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| b. Chronicity | 1 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| c. Diagnostic Complexity | 1 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| d. Emotional Response | 1 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| e. Impairment in Functioning | 1 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| f. Treatment Involvement | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| g. Intensity of Treatment | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| h. Organizational Complexity | 0 | This item does not need to be rated because there was no evidence of medical problems. | |
| Physical | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has no physical limitations. | |
| Dental | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has no evidence of dental health needs. | |
| Daily Functioning | 0 | The correct rating is '0' Ashton has shown age-appropriate self-care skills. | |
| Social Functioning - Peer | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because at this time, Ashton is having minor problems in his peer interactions. | |
| Social Functioning - Adult | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton is having moderate problems with the adults in his life, namely with some school authority figures. | |
| Legal | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton is currently involved in the legal system for the five Disorderly Conducts he received. | |
| a. Seriousness | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton's history of delinquent behaviors (fighting at school) are equivalent to misdemeanors but these have not occurred recently. | |
| b. History | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton has engaged in fighting and delinquent behavior for more than one year, but recently has not engaged in such behavior. | |
| c. Arrests | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has a history of delinquent behavior, but no arrests in the past 30 days. | |
| d. Planning | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton's delinquent behavior has been impulsive and not planned out. | |
| e. Community Safety | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton's fighting (if it were to return) could place community residents in danger of harm. | |
| f. Legal Compliance | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is generally following his court-ordered conditions, as he is going to school more regularly. | |
| g. Peer Influences | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has begun to make friends who do not engage in delinquent behavior and who are positive influences on him. | |
| h. Parental Criminal Behavior (Influences) | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because both of Ashton's parents had a history of criminal behavior, as shown by their consistent drug use. | |
| i. Environmental Influences | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton's current living situation does not expose him to criminal behavior. | |
| Eating Disturbance | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of eating disturbance. | |
| Sleep | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of sleep disturbance. | |
| Sexual Development | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has not shown any evidence of problems with sexual development. | |
| Life Skills | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton is showing an age-appropriate ability to live independently, and is not exhibiting any evidence of deficits in this area. | |
| Expectant Parent or Parenting | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton is not an expectant parent and is not parenting at this time. |
SCHOOL
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton is regularly attending school at this time. | |
| Behavior | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is generally behaving well in school, but is still having some behavior problems at times. | |
| Achievement | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because, despite his recent hard work at school, Ashton is still a grade level behind his peers. | |
| Relation with Teachers | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton continues to struggle with his relationships with authority figures at school. |
CHILD/YOUTH & FAMILY ACCULTURATION
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton and his family speak English fluently. | |
| Identity | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of concern or confusion regarding cultural identity. | |
| Ritual | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of obstacles to practicing the family's cultural rituals. | |
| Cultural Stress | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because there is some stress for Joannie of her perception of the Joneses' financial situation and how it is different than her own. | |
| Knowledge Congruence | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because there are some differences between Joannie's perspective, but Joannie has admitted that her children are better taken care of being with the Joneses. | |
| Help Seeking Congruence | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because there are some differences between Joannie's beliefs on seeking help, as she has been in and out of rehab several times for her substance use issues. | |
| Expression of Distress | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of disagreements between the way in which the family expresses distress and the prevailing professional perspective. |
CHILD/YOUTH BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL NEEDS
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychosis | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton is experiencing psychosis. | |
| Impulsive / Hyperactivity | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton is exhibiting impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. | |
| Depression | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton has displayed symptoms of irritability, most notably in his interactions with Mrs. Jones. | |
| Anxiety | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of anxiety recently. | |
| Oppositional | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton shows oppositional behavior toward authority, which interferes with his functioning at school and in the home. | |
| Conduct | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has a history of behaviors such as violence toward others. | |
| Anger Control | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton continues to have moderate anger control issues, noted by his fights with peers. | |
| Substance Use | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of substance use. | |
| Somatization | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of unexplained somatic symptoms. | |
| Behavioral Regression | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of behavioral regression for Ashton. | |
| Affect Dysregulation | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has shown mild to moderate issues with regulating his affect, generally following visits with his mother. |
CHILD/YOUTH RISK BEHAVIORS
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide Risk | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no risk of suicide. | |
| Self-Injurious Behavior | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of self-injury. | |
| Other Self Harm | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of behaviors that place him at risk of physical harm. | |
| Exploited | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of Ashton being exploited or victimized within the past year. | |
| Danger to Others | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has a history of physical aggression that has placed himself and others at risk of harm. | |
| Sexual Agression | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has shown no evidence of sexually aggressive behavior. | |
| Delinquent Behavior | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has shown history of delinquent behavior. | |
| Runaway | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has a history of running away, but has not done so in the last 30 days. | |
| a. Frequency of Running | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has run away multiple times in the last year. | |
| b. Consistency of Destination | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Ashton did not seem to have a planned destination when he ran away and was living on the streets. | |
| c. Planning | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton has plans when he runs | |
| d. Safety of Destination | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Ashton was living on the streets when he ran away for long periods of time. | |
| e. Involvement in Illegal Acts | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence that Ashton was engaging in illegal activities when he ran away. | |
| f. Likelihood of Return on Own | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton only returned to his foster home when the police found him and brought him back. | |
| g. Involvement of Others | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton ran away on his own. | |
| h. Realistic Expectations | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton appeared to understand the consequences of running away. | |
| Intentional Misbehavior | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton displays a mild level of inappropriate social behavior which requires authority figures at school and at home to discipline him but it is unclear whether it is intentional. | |
| Fire Setting | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton shows no evidence of fire-setting behaviors. | |
| Bullying | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has not engaged in bullying at school or in the community. |
CHILD/YOUTH STRENGTHS
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relationship Permanence | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Ashton has no stable relationships, and will likely be considered for adoption or independent living. | |
| Family - Nuclear | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton's nuclear family requires some assistance in building relationships and communication. His relationship with his mother is inconsistent, but he is hopeful that he can return home. | |
| Family - Extended | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton's extended family requires assistance in developing relationships. Ashton's only extended family member who he has contact with is his grandmother, and his relationship with her is inconsistent. | |
| Positive Peer Relations | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has some good interpersonal skills and is showing the capability to build healthy peer relationships. | |
| Optimism | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton appears to be generally optimistic. | |
| Decision Making | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton has some ability to assess situations and their consequences, but usually needs assistance to do this successfully. | |
| Well-Being | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton has positive coping skills and is able to enjoy pleasurable events. | |
| Educational | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton's school is working with him and with the Joneses to identify and address his educational needs. | |
| Recreation | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has begun playing basketball on his school team. | |
| Vocational | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Ashton has shown vocational interest in money management and the stock market. | |
| Talents / Interests | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Ashton has started playing basketball, which provides him with enjoyment and increases his self-esteem. | |
| Spiritual / Religious | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because there is no information about Ashton's involvement with religion or spiritual involvement. | |
| Community Life | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is becoming more involved in his community. | |
| Youth Involvement | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton seems aware of his needs and is participating in the process to address those needs. | |
| Natural Supports | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton now has a natural support in his basketball coach. | |
| Resiliency | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is able to identify his internal strengths and can at least partially use them. | |
| Resourcefulness | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Ashton is able to identify his external strengths and is able to at least partially use them. |
CURRENT CAREGIVER
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses have good monitoring and discipline skills. | |
| Problem Solving | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses appear to have good problem solving skills. | |
| Involvement with Care | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses are actively involved in the planning and implementation of services for Ashton, and are acting as his advocates for his educational and psychiatric needs. | |
| Knowledge | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because the Joneses are knowledgeable about how to care for Ashton, but do require additional information as he is the first boy they have raised. | |
| Empathy with Child | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses have a strong empathic relationship with Ashton. | |
| Organization | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses are well organized. | |
| Social Resources | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses have extended family in the area who can help with raising Ashton. | |
| Physical Health | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses appear to be in good health. | |
| Mental Health | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses do not have any mental health needs. | |
| Substance Use | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses do not have any issues with substance use. | |
| Developmental | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses do not have any developmental needs. | |
| Family Stress | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because the Joneses have some stress as they manage Ashton's needs, Mrs. Jones more so than Mr. Jones, although the new baby (Ashton's half brother) appears to be a stress on Mr Jones. | |
| Cultural Congruence | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because the Joneses do not have cultural differences from Joannie in relation to raising Ashton. |
IDENTIFIED PERMANENT RESOURCE STRENGTHS & NEEDS
| Item | Most Appropriate Rating | Your Rating | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Stability | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has experienced periods of homelessness in the past six months, and has historically had periods of homelessness. | |
| Self Care | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie is unable to complete the daily skills to care for Ashton. | |
| Access to Child Care | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has no access to childcare services. | |
| Acculturation | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of cultural differences between Joannie and the Joneses. | |
| Employment | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie is currently unemployed, and has a history of unemployment. | |
| Education | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie dropped out of high school and her lack of educational achievement interferes with her vocational functioning. | |
| Financial Resources | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie has limited financial resources at this time. | |
| Community Connect | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has no ties to or supports from the community. | |
| Legal | 1 | The correct rating is '1' because Joannie has a history of legal problems, but no current legal problems. | |
| Transportation | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie relies on her mother to transport her to see her children. | |
| Supervision | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie is unable to adequately supervise Ashton at this time. | |
| Problem Solving | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has challenges with problem solving. | |
| Involvement with Care | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie has had little involvement with Ashton's service planning and interventions. | |
| Knowledge | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has little knowledge of Ashton's needs at this time. | |
| Empathy with Child | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie has limited empathy for Ashton at this time. | |
| Organization | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie is unable to organize her household to support Ashton at this time. | |
| Social Resources | 2 | The correct rating is '2' because Joannie has limited family, her mother, to assist in raising Ashton. | |
| Physical Health | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Joannie appears to be physically healthy. | |
| Mental Health | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Joannie has no mental health needs at this time. | |
| Substance Use | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie has significant substance use issues as well as a history of substance use. | |
| Developmental | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because Joannie has no developmental needs. | |
| Family Stress | 3 | The correct rating is '3' because Joannie is unable to manage the stress associated with caring for Ashton. | |
| Cultural Congruence | 0 | The correct rating is '0' because there is no evidence of any cultural differences between Joannie and the Joneses. |