CAFAS
Pronunciation: KAY-fas
Also written as: CAFAS — Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale - standardized instrument measuring functional impairment in youth across multiple domains for treatment planning and outcomes.
Full Definition
The Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale is a comprehensive assessment tool used in forensic and clinical settings to evaluate functional impairment in children and adolescents aged 7-17. The CAFAS measures functioning across eight life domains including school performance, home life, community involvement, behavior toward others, moods/emotions, self-harmful behavior, substance use, and thinking. In forensic contexts, CAFAS scores help establish baseline functioning, track treatment progress, and inform disposition recommendations. The scale is particularly valuable for documenting functional improvements in juvenile justice settings and supporting arguments for community-based treatment alternatives.
Usage
Usage note: Use all capitals. Do not confuse with similar youth assessment scales like CBCL or CGAS.
In Context
- "The CAFAS scores showed marked improvement in the juvenile's school and home functioning after six months of treatment." — Progress evaluation report
- "Baseline CAFAS assessment revealed severe impairment across multiple domains, supporting the need for intensive intervention." — Treatment recommendation