CAFAS
Also written as: CAFAS — Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale, a standardized tool measuring functional impairment across multiple life domains.
Full Definition
The Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) is a multidimensional assessment tool that measures the degree of functional impairment in youth aged 7-17 across eight life domains: school/work, home, community, behavior toward others, moods/emotions, self-harmful behavior, substance use, and thinking. Scores range from 0 (minimal or no impairment) to 30 (severe impairment) for each domain. The CAFAS is commonly used in mental health settings to assess treatment outcomes, determine level of care needs, and track functional improvement over time.
Usage
Usage note: Focus on functional impairment rather than symptom severity; complement with symptom-based measures.
In Context
- "CAFAS scores will be completed at intake, quarterly, and discharge to measure functional outcomes." — Assessment protocol
- "The youth's CAFAS total score decreased from 130 to 70, indicating significant functional improvement." — Progress review note