Question 1

What is the RCADS test?

Accepted Answer

The RCADS (Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale) is a standardised psychological instrument used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms in children and adolescents. It comes in two versions: a child self-report form and a parent report form. It evaluates 6 subscales: separation anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression.

Question 2

What are the RCADS subscales?

Accepted Answer

The RCADS has 6 subscales: Separation Anxiety (A), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Y), Panic Disorder (P), Social Phobia (S), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder — OCD (O), and Major Depressive Disorder (D). Total Anxiety and Total Internalising scores are also calculated. A T-score is produced per subscale based on the child's age and sex.

Question 3

What is a T-score and how is it interpreted?

Accepted Answer

A T-score is a standardised score based on age- and sex-specific norms, with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. T-scores of 65 and above are considered clinically significant. T-scores of 70 and above indicate more severe symptoms. The platform calculates this automatically.

Question 4

What's the difference between the Child and Parent forms?

Accepted Answer

The Child form is completed directly by the child to assess their own symptoms. The Parent form is designed for a parent to report on their child's anxiety and depression symptoms. The two forms have separate norm tables. Using both in parallel is often recommended for multi-informant assessment.

Question 5

How does the platform work?

Accepted Answer

After signing up, you add your client to the system. You choose the child or parent form and create a test. The system generates a unique link. You share this link with your client. Once the client enters their age and sex and answers the items, the raw subscale scores, T-scores, and chart analysis are prepared automatically.

Question 6

How do I view the test results?

Accepted Answer

Once the test is complete, the client detail page shows the subscale result table, T-scores, means, and standard deviations along with a chart. The T=65 clinical threshold line is drawn on the chart. Green points indicate the normal range, yellow indicate borderline, and red indicate clinically elevated values.

Question 7

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All client data is stored on encrypted servers. Each user can only access the clients and tests they created. Row-level security policies isolate data. The platform uses a secure and privacy-respecting infrastructure.

Question 8

How much does the subscription cost?

Accepted Answer

The platform is available with an annual subscription. Your subscription includes unlimited client additions, unlimited test sending, automatic T-score calculation, 6 subscale analysis, chart-based reports, and secure data storage. No hidden fees.

Question 9

What age range is the RCADS used for?

Accepted Answer

The RCADS is designed for children and adolescents aged 8 to 18. Norm tables are computed for this age range, separated by sex.

Question 10

Who can use this platform?

Accepted Answer

The platform is used by clinical psychologists, child and adolescent psychologists, counsellors, school psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals working with youth.

Question 11

How is the RCADS scored?

Accepted Answer

Each item is rated 0 (Never), 1 (Sometimes), 2 (Often), or 3 (Always). The raw scores of items belonging to each subscale are summed and then converted to a T-score using age- and sex-specific norm tables.

Question 12

How is the RCADS evaluation report generated?

Accepted Answer

When the test is complete the platform automatically generates an evaluation report. The report includes the 6 subscale raw scores, T-scores, means and standard deviations, a chart with the clinical threshold (T=65) line, and detailed responses for each item.

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RCADS Assessment: Going Digital

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RCADS Online: Administer in 3 Steps

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Review results

References

T-Score Calculation and Subscale Analysis

Automatic T-Score Calculation

6 Subscale Analysis

Chart-Based Report

Secure Link Sharing

Child & Parent Forms

Secure & Private Infrastructure

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Frequently Asked Questions

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