Research

Research is one of the pillars of the Institute of Childhood Trauma and Attachment. Information gained through the Institute’s research undertakings is designed to drive changes in training, policy and practice to better serve traumatized children and youth.

The Institute has developed two trauma screening tools. One of them is the Child and Adolescent Screener for Traumatic Exposure and Response (CASTER™), a screening tool which allows trauma exposure and symptoms to be identified early in the assessment and treatment process. The CASTER is now available to download and use. 

Content validity of the tool has been established in consultation with youth with lived experience, parents, children’s mental health clinicians, and professional experts in trauma treatment.

The CASTER will help child and youth-serving sectors identify traumatic stress in presenting clients and allow for appropriate clinical and case-planning responses.

In addition, the Institute has conducted an exploration of trauma screening practices among speech and language practitioners and services. Speech and language issues are often the first sign of a developmental or mental health concerns in young children. Trauma experiences at this stage are critical to understand for early intervention but are often missed because of lack of systematic screening. For this reason, the Institute has modified the CASTER for parents of very young children who present to the George Hull Centre’s Speech and Language programs.