What is your approach to assessing traumatic exposure in children?  

Ask explicitly with a child, adolescent, or adult: “Have you ever been hurt or abused by adults or other people, physically or sexually?” (Be prepared to elaborate). What we are getting at to some degree here is PTSD-like events. Sadly, people frequently experience death, tornadoes, c...

I think this is a great question and may often be overlooked in an initial assessment. I prefer a systematic approach with all patients as not everyone recognizes what trauma is. I ask the following questions: Were your parents together when you were a child? Who raised you?  If they're se...