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Mental health screening and assessment tools are more important than ever, and one of the most foundational tools — the Behavior Assessment System for Children™ (BASC™) — is about to be released by Pearson in its fourth edition. As we discussed in a recent episode of “Healthy Minds, Bright Futures: How to Navigate Mental Health and Build Support,” the BASC™-4 includes key updates for clinicians and educators while also retaining the evidence-based focus that has made it an effective suite of materials for nearly 40 years.

In recent decades, an increasing number of children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the U.S. According to the latest CDC data, the number of 8-year-olds identified with ASD is about 1 in 31. However, as discussed on a recent episode of our podcast, “Healthy Minds, Bright Futures: How to Navigate Mental Health and Build Support,” there is more to that number than meets the eye.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 7 million children in the US, and it can be challenging to diagnose due to complex symptom presentation and varying levels of healthcare resources. Diagnosis rates are inconsistent across different geographies, ranging from 6% to 16% across states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As a school-based occupational or physical therapist, you know that time is your most precious resource. Between evaluations, documentation, meetings and direct therapy, your schedule is packed. And as productivity expectations continue to rise, the number of hours in each day remains stubbornly the same!

Here are some practical ways to maximize your valuable time (without compromising quality) by making strategic assessment choices and leveraging the power of digital tools.

I have a confession to make. During the early years that the Pearson research team and I were developing the D-KEFS™ Advanced (all-digital tests of executive functions), I was reluctant to use digital assessments in my private practice. I felt a bit hypocritical; here we were striving to create state-of-the-art digital tests of executive functions, yet in my own practice, I was clinging to tried-and-true print versions of tests, even for questionnaires like the MMPI-3^®.

When Dr. Miia Kivipelto launched the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability, better known as the FINGER trial, in 2009, the field of dementia prevention was much different.

“At that time, [the focus was only on] high age and genetic factors,” Kivipelto said. “Now we know that 45% of these risk factors are there throughout the whole life course and that’s why we say that it’s never too early to … prevent dementia.”

Kivipelto, a Finnish neuroscientist and professor who specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, joined John Harrison, Ph.D., CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, an associate professor at Alzheimercentrum, AUmc, Amsterdam, for the Pearson-sponsored podcast series, “The Progress Profile: Alzheimer’s Research in Focus,” to share insights into her research.