Clinical and sociodemographical profile of children and adolescents attended in a psychological assessment laboratory in Recife/PE, Brazil

Abstract

This study analyzed the clinical, sociodemographic profile and the process of Psychological Assessment carried out with children and adolescents seen at the Psychological Assessment Laboratory of the Institute of Integral Medicine Prof. Fernando Figueira - IMIP (LAP). Twenty-five evaluations were completed between the years 2019 and 2022. Participants had a mean age at the time of screening of 8.16 ± 2.58, with the majority being male. 13 patients were not on psychotropic medications, and psychologists were the professionals responsible for most referrals to the sector. In the evaluation process, 16 instruments were used, including the Psychological Battery for Attention Evaluation, Rey's Complex Figures, and Play Materials. The results showed that more than half of the patients had arithmetic difficulties, followed by inattention, writing difficulties, and challenging behavior. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was the most identified diagnostic hypothesis, followed by Intellectual Disability. Psychological Evaluation is an essential tool to contribute to the interprofessional team in identifying the difficulties of children and adolescents.