Structured diagnostic interviews
Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS)
Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) — administration and scoring reference.
Reference information · Official-form reference
- Last content update
- 2026-10-26
- Clinical review
- Not independently reviewed
- Source jurisdiction
- See individual sources
- Coverage
- Official-form reference
| Field | Instrument context |
|---|---|
| Version | K-SADS; specify present/lifetime, diagnostic edition and platform |
| Population | Children/adolescents; verify age range for selected form |
| Respondent | Trained clinician with child/caregiver |
| Purpose | Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) — administration and scoring reference. |
Administration
A trained interviewer obtains child and caregiver accounts using the selected K-SADS screens, supplements and time-frame conventions.
Scoring method
Child diagnostic interview; present/lifetime and DSM editions must be selected.
Interpretation & limitations
- Integrate informant differences at criterion level using the selected interview’s instructions.
- Interpret the findings alongside the clinical interview, functioning, history and relevant physical assessment.
- Present and lifetime findings must remain distinct. A child symptom questionnaire cannot replace the diagnostic interview.
- Use the original instrument and manual for item wording, rating anchors, missing-data rules and any normative conversions. This reference does not establish a diagnosis or select treatment.