Maple Ballroom

Many questionnaires designed to screen for childhood trauma inquire solely about potential trauma symptoms (without addressing exposure to traumatic events), trauma exposure (without potential symptoms of traumatic distress), only assess a single traumatic event or focuses on a narrow range of traumatic events. The CASTER is a screening tool, developed by the George Hull Centre Institute of Childhood Trauma and Attachment, identifies both trauma exposure and symptoms for children and youth early in the assessment and treatment process. This workshop will introduce professionals to the CASTER tools, allowing for early identification of childhood trauma in their own practices, enhanced understanding of potential trauma and responses, and allow for increased referrals to trauma-responsive mental health services for infants, children, youth and families. This workshop will also describe a novel screening research project underway at the George Hull Centre, screening children for potential trauma exposure in preschool speech and language services.  

Key Takeaways
1. Attendees will leave this presentation with an understanding of how the CASTER Screening Tool was developed, how it differs from other tools, and the benefits of potential trauma screening across various disciplines/sectors, 
2. With an understanding of how to access the screening tool and how it can be used,
3. And with an understanding of the relevance of trauma to early communication development and how trauma screening has been implemented in a pilot project within a preschool speech and language program. 
 

Anna Rupert, Manager, Special Projects & Program Design, Speech-Language Pathologist, Institute of Childhood Trauma & Attachment, George Hull Centre for Children and Families
Leticia Gracia, Director, Institute of Childhood Trauma & Attachment, George Hull Centre for Children and Families