100+ Free ABPP Clinical Child & Adolescent Practice Questions

Developmental Psychopathology

Developmental psychopathology framework (Cicchetti, Sroufe, Rutter). Equifinality (different pathways → same outcome) and multifinality (similar starts → different outcomes). Attachment theory and Ainsworth Strange Situation — secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant/ambivalent, disorganized (Main & Solomon). Ecological systems (Bronfenbrenner). Transactional models. Risk and resilience (Garmezy, Werner). DSM-5-TR lifespan/developmental organization with neurodevelopmental disorders first.

Evidence-Based Assessment

Hunsley & Mash multimethod/multi-informant/multi-context EBA. Cognitive — Bayley-4 (16 days-42 months), WPPSI-IV (2:6-7:7), WISC-V (6-16), WAIS-V (16+), DAS-II, KABC-II. Adaptive — Vineland-3 (Communication, Daily Living, Socialization, Motor), ABAS-3. Broadband psychopathology — ASEBA CBCL/TRF/YSR (internalizing/externalizing), BASC-3 multi-informant. ADHD — Conners-3, Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scales. ASD — ADOS-2 (gold standard observation), ADI-R (parent interview), M-CHAT-R/F (toddler screen). Academic — WJ-IV, WIAT-4, KTEA-3, CTOPP-2 phonological processing. Anxiety — SCARED (parent/child), PARS (clinician), ADIS-C/P (structured interview). Trauma — UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5, CATS. Eating — SCOFF (≥2 positive), EDE-Q, EDI-3. Substance — CRAFFT 2.1+N (AAP-endorsed). Suicide — C-SSRS, ASQ. Personality — MMPI-A-RF, PIY. Depression — PHQ-A, CDI-2, MFQ. Flynn effect, cultural appropriateness, SEM in interpretation.

Evidence-Based Interventions

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT; Eyberg) — PRIDE skills (Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, Enjoy) in CDI; effective commands and consistent consequences in PDI; ages 2-7. Parent Management Training — Kazdin Parent Management Training, Patterson's Oregon Model, Incredible Years (Webster-Stratton), Triple P (Sanders). TF-CBT (Cohen, Mannarino, Deblinger) — PRACTICE components (Psychoeducation/Parenting, Relaxation, Affective expression, Cognitive coping, Trauma narrative, In vivo, Conjoint, Enhancing safety). Coping Cat (Kendall) for child anxiety; FEAR plan and exposures; CAMS-trial demonstrated combined CBT + sertraline superior. POTS-trial CBT-ERP + SSRI for pediatric OCD. TADS-trial: combined fluoxetine + CBT 71% vs fluoxetine alone 61% vs CBT alone 43% vs placebo 35%. IPT-A (Mufson) for adolescent depression. DBT-A (Miller, Rathus) for chronic suicidality/NSSI. FBT/Maudsley (Lock & Le Grange) for adolescent AN — three phases. CBT-E (Fairburn) for adolescent BN/BED. MST (Henggeler), FFT (Alexander, Sexton), MTFC (Chamberlain) for serious antisocial behavior. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT; Diamond) for adolescent depression/suicide. Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP; Lieberman) for trauma ages 0-5. Psychological First Aid (NCTSN). CBITS for school-based trauma. AAP 2019 ADHD guideline — BPT first-line ages 4-5; BT + medication ages 6-11; medication first-line is reserved for older children. MTA Cooperative Study findings. FDA-approved pediatric pharmacotherapy — fluoxetine ≥8 MDD, escitalopram ≥12 MDD, sertraline and fluvoxamine pediatric OCD, risperidone/aripiprazole ASD irritability, lisdexamfetamine BED. All antidepressants carry pediatric black-box warning.

Child-Specific Disorders

ADHD — DSM-5-TR onset of several symptoms before age 12; presentations (combined, predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive); high comorbidity with ODD/CD, anxiety, depression, SLD. ASD — DSM-5-TR Criteria A (social communication/interaction) and B (restricted/repetitive); Levels 1-3 severity; FDA-approved irritability treatments (risperidone, aripiprazole). ODD — pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant, vindictive ≥6 months. Conduct Disorder — rule violations including aggression to people/animals, destruction, deceit, serious rule violations; 'with limited prosocial emotions' specifier (CU traits). ID — cognitive + adaptive (conceptual, social, practical) with developmental-period onset. SLD — reading (dyslexia), math (dyscalculia), written expression (dysgraphia). Reactive Attachment Disorder (inhibited) vs Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. Pediatric anxiety disorders — specific phobia, separation anxiety (with school refusal, nightmares, somatic complaints), social anxiety, GAD, selective mutism (DSM-5-TR anxiety chapter). DMDD — onset <10, chronic non-episodic irritability + temper outbursts ≥3/week ≥12 months. Pediatric MDD — irritable mood may substitute for depressed mood. Pediatric bipolar — discrete manic/hypomanic episodes. Eating disorders — ARFID, AN, BN, BED. Pediatric obesity — 2023 AAP CPG endorsing IBT 26+ hours, MI, pharmacotherapy and surgery for severe cases.

Ethics & Legal

APA Ethics Code (2017) — Standard 2.01 Boundaries of Competence; 3.05 Multiple Relationships; 3.10 Informed Consent; 4.02 Discussing Limits of Confidentiality; 4.05 Disclosures; 9.02 Use of Assessments; 10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy. Parental consent — both legal-custodial parents typically required for non-emergency psychotherapy; minor assent. Mandated reporting to CPS for suspected abuse — promptly, with state-defined documentation. FERPA — educational records at federally funded schools; parental access until 18; 'sole-possession' notes exempt if not shared; school-psych implications. HIPAA Privacy Rule — psychotherapy notes require specific authorization; HIPAA vs FERPA boundaries. Confidentiality with adolescents — discuss limits up front with adolescent and parents, including safety/abuse exceptions. Custody — APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology prohibit treating clinicians from serving as custody evaluators (dual-role); cooperate via subpoena with authorization. Threat assessment — Virginia CSTAG/Cornell model; Tarasoff-equivalent duties for serious threats. APA Multicultural Guidelines and culturally adapted EBPs. APA Guidelines for Practice with Sexual and Gender Minority Youth — affirmative care, prohibit conversion/reparative therapy. APA Record Keeping Guidelines.