Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool/IR

Stetson
LA-SAAT/IR (Interim Re-Assessment)
Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool/Interim Re-Assessmentof Sexual Behaviors and Adjustment in Children
(Formerly known as the LA-IRAT)
Child/Juvenile:
Date of Birth:
Age:
Date of Admission:
Evaluator:
Date of Re-Assessment:
Global Assessment of Risk for Sexually Abusive Behavior:
Prior Global Sexual Abuse Risk Level:
Global Assessment of Risk for Non-Abusive Problematic Sexual Behavior:
Prior Global Risk Level for Sexually Troubled Behavior:
Global Assessment of Risk for Non-Sexual Behavioral Difficulties:
Prior Global Non-Sexual Risk Level:
Protective Factors Score: / 31
**The “IR” designation indicates this instrument is used for the periodic re-assessment of risk over time.
The LA-SAAT/IR is designed to re-evaluate risk for continued sexually troubled behavior, following an initial risk evaluation using the Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool (Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool).
The LA-SAAT /IRis not designed or intended to be used as an initial assessment instrument.
Version 4
Version Date.October 1, 2012

© Stetson School, Inc., 2000-2012
Stetson School
455 South Street, P.O. Box 309, Barre, MA 01005
978/355-4541

The LA-SAAT /IR may be used without additional permission

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Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool/IR

Interim Re-Assessment of Risk and Needs for Continued Sexually Troubled Behavior

LA-SAAT/IR:Interim Re-Assessmentfor Continued Sexually Troubled Behavior

The LA-SAAT/IRis a structured clinical instrument designed to re-assess the possibility or potential for continued sexually troubled behavior in pre-adolescent or adolescent males who have been previously assessed with the LA-SAAT (Latency Age-Sexual Adjustment and Assessment Tool)for risk of continued sexually abusive or non-abusive sexually troubled behavior. Most typically, re-assessment occurs during the course of and/or upon discharge from treatment for sexually troubled behavior.

The LA-SAAT/IRre-assessment is conducted periodically for the primary purpose of assessing risk at any given time, and may be additionally used for the purposes for treatment planning and as a measure of response to treatment as it largely assesses current, or dynamic, risk factors, which are usually the targets for treatment. The LA-SAAT/IR is not designed for initial assessment, and cannot be used for that purpose. In addition, the LA-SAAT/IRis designed for pre-adolescent and adolescent boys, and is not intended to be used in the re-evaluation of younger children, adults, or females.

Re-assessment of Risk over Time: Time Limits on Evaluations of Risk

Predictions about future behavior in children and adolescentsis fluid and likely to change over time due to the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of the juvenile, as well as the impact an effect of the social environment and/or treatment. Accordingly, risk for future behaviors in juveniles, including risk for continued sexually troubled behavior, should be periodically re-assessed, and any risk assessment should be considered valid only for a period of approximately one year or less.

Assessing Risk for Sexual Recidivism and Continued Engagement in Non-Sexual Problematic Behavior

A sexual risk assessment attempts to predict the likelihood, probability, or potential for a sexual re-offense (recidivism), based on a history of at least one previous sexually abusive behavior. It is not possible to assess risk in absence of previously sexually abusive behavior. Under these circumstances, it is not possible to assess risk for a re-offense.

A sexual risk assessment typically evaluates the risk for a sexual re-offense as high, moderate, or low under conditions where the offender has an opportunity to engage in sexually abusive behavior. That is, the assessment evaluates risk under circumstances where: (a) there is limited supervision of the sexually abusive youth, and (b) there is access to victims.

The LA-SAAT/IR is also designed to help estimate the risk for non-abusive sexually troubled behavior in children who have previously engaged in sexually troubled or sexually inappropriate behavior, but have not previously engaged in sexual behavior that is abusive in nature.

However, it is important to note that there is no certain way to determine whether or not problematic behavior will continue; it is only possible to assess the possibility or likelihood of continued problematic behavior based on history and information presented and collected during the course of an assessment.

InitialRisk Assessment and the Re-Assessment of Risk: Static and Dynamic Risk Factors

Risk factors are those factors that drive or increase the possibility of continued sexually troubled or non-sexual behavioral problems. Some risk factors are static as they are historical, whereas others are dynamic, or current as their action is in the present. Dynamic risk factors (sometimes known as “criminogenic” factors) are those more associated with current behaviors, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, interactions, and relationships, which can change over time. Treatment is generally directed toward dynamic factors that can be treated and can be periodically re-assessed.

Stable dynamic risk factors are consistent and relatively unchanging (although are changeable and may be treatment targets). Examples include a generally unstable or certain living environment, a pattern of antisocial behaviors, or consistently deviant sexual interests. Acute dynamic risk factors may change rapidly, leading to possible sudden change in behavior or response to events. Becoming intoxicated, the sudden onset of a psychiatric condition, or a change in living environments are each examples of acute dynamic factors that may increase risk for sexually or non-sexually troubled behavior.

Although including the static scores from the initial assessment, the LA-SAAT/IRprimarily assesses dynamic risk factors and, in so doing, is also assessing response to treatment over time.

Understanding Assessments of Risk and Need

Even an assessment of high risk does not necessarily mean that the individual will re-offend or continue to engage in sexually troubled behavior, even under conditions that may allow continued problematic sexual behavior.

It is more appropriate to understand the assessment of risk as a way of recognizing a preponderance or collection of risk factors and, in particular, factors that pertain to each individual and continue to represent risk for that person. From this perspective, an assigned risk level represents the number and type of risk factors most pertinent to that individual, and the areas of risk that may be a focus for treatment, management, and/or supervision.

Whereas risk points to those factors that may contribute to continued harmful or troubled behavior, it is also possible to think of risk factors pointing to the needs of assessed juveniles, which may then be addressed as the targets of treatment and management for both sexually troubled and non-sexually behaviorally troubled youth. If seen this way, an assessment of “risk” is also an assessment of needs that may be targets for intervention.

Most Sexually Abusive Youth Do Not Sexually Re-Offend

Even with an assessment of moderate or high risk, most adolescents will not re-offend sexually following treatment for sexually abusive behavior, as shown in multiple studies published in the literature that address juvenile sexually abusive behavior. Accordingly, it is important to bear in mind that an assessment of risk reflects not only the preponderance, nature, and severity of risk factors for any given youth, but also clearly identifies areas in need of treatment, management, and/or supervision, and the prognosis for most sexually abusive youth following treatment is positive if continued appropriate care and supervision is provided. Of special note, this is equally true for youths assigned at both low and high levels of risk, although high risk youth may have greater ongoing treatment and supervision needs upon discharge.

Many Sexually Abusive Youth Continue to Engage in Non-Sexual Problem Behaviors

Many studies that review and analyze sexual recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders recognize and report a higher rate of non-sexual recidivism than sexual recidivism. That is, sexually troubled and abusive youth are more likely to continue to engage in non-sexual behavior problems, even after treatment, than sexually abusive behavior. However, many of the risk factors pertinent to assessing sexual recidivism are also pertinent to assessing risk for continued non-sexual behavior problems.

Focus, Design, and Properties of the LA-SAAT/IR

The LA-SAAT/IR is not a statistically based assessment instrument, nor does it have any psychometric properties. It is anorganized method for the clinical assessment of risk for continued sexually troubled behavior based on the professional literature. However, in conducting a clinical assessment of risk there is little doubt that a structured and literature-based assessment tool, such as the LA-SAAT and the LA-SAAT/IR, offers a reasonable approach to assessment and offers a more valid and reliable approach than an unstructured approach to risk assessmentin which no risk assessment tool is used.

Risk Domains. Risk Elements, and Static Dynamic Risk Factors

The LA-SAAT/IRis comprised of 16 risk “domains,” each of which represents an overarching risk factor, and a 17thtreatment domain that reflects progress and participation in treatment elements considered to be of importance in the treatment of sexually troubled youth.

Each risk domainrepresents an area of behavior, capacity or skill, psychosocial functioning, cognition, relationships, or environmental conditions, and each domain is made up of individual dynamicrisk elements, or risk factors that are considered to be changeable and the targets of treatment. Most domains additionally include a static score that imports, includes, and integrates the assessed level of risk from the equivalent domain as evaluated in the initial LA-SAAT assessment. Not including the static scores from the initial LA-SAAT, there are a total of 91 individual risk elements within the 16 risk domains, each of which is assessed independently of one another, and an additional treatment domain that reflects and scores 20 elements of treatment.

Risk elements are assessed by the evaluator in terms of the significance of each element as a concern, and each level of significance is assigned a numerical value. The assessed value given to each risk element yields an overall numerical score, which leads to an assessed level of risk for each domain in terms of its possible contribution to continued sexually troubled or non-abusive sexually troubled behavior.

Overall/Global Assessment of Risk

The final/global assessment of risk for sexual recidivism is the outcome of a series of assessments in each individual risk domain, combined into a final numerical score that translates into a global level of risk. Within each risk domain and overall, based on the numerical score, risk is assessed as: high, moderate-high, moderate, low-moderate, or low. Riskmay also be assessed as no risk, not applicable, or cannot assess in the event that there is no known history of sexually abusive behavior or there is insufficient evidence or applicability.

However, there is no clearly defined or readily accepted scientific or reliably proven way to assess risk for a sexual re-offense. Similarly, there is no simple or accurate way to adequately “score” different items and thus create a valid or reliable composite score that indicates risk with certainty.

LA-SAAT/IRRisk Scales

The LA-SAAT/IR has three scales, used to measure and assess: (a) risk for continued sexually abusive behavior, (b) risk for sexual behavior that is non-abusive but troubled or an area of concern, and (c) risk for non-sexual problematic behaviors

Sexual Risk. The LA-SAAT/IR is designed to assess risk for continued sexually abusive behavior in the event of a history of such behavior.
Non-Abusive Sexual Risk. The LA-SAAT/IR is also designed to assess juveniles with a history of sexually troubled or sexually inappropriate behavior that may not be defined as sexually abusive.
Non-Sexual Risk. Because of the overlap in risk factors for sexually abusive behavior and non-sexual problem behaviors, the LA-SAAT/IR also yields a risk for non-sexual problematic behaviors.

Protective Factors Scale

Protective factors represent relationships, attitudes, beliefs, skills, and other factors at play in the life of the juvenile that may help mitigate the level of risk in any given domain, or the overall level of risk. Each domain within the LA-SAAT/IR contains a protective factors screen, allowing the evaluator to note the presence of an identified protective factor. The overall protective factors score shows how many of the 31 identified protective factors apply to the juvenile.

Comprehensive Assessment

The LA-SAAT, LA-SAAT/IR, and similar structured clinical instruments are intended and designed to be part of a larger and more comprehensive psychosocial evaluation of the juvenile. The information gathered through the assessment should provide the information required by the LA-SAAT/IR, and the information and assessment derived from the LA-SAAT/IR should be included in and help shape the conclusions of a written and comprehensive report.

Scoring Instructions

Assess the severity or significance of each element within each domain. Score in whole numbers only, using only the scoring scale for each domain as shown within each domain.
Total the Significance of Concern column for the domain Total Score. The total score determines the risk level for that domain, as shown.
Indicate the presence of an identified protective factor by check mark.
Transfer assessed risk in each domain and identified protective factors to the Summary and Scoring Table and Protective Factors Scale.
In theSummary and Scoring Table generate and sum the total of the numerical scores assigned, based on the scoring key for each domain. The sexually abusive and non-sexual antisocial behavioral domains are both weighted more heavily than other domains, and the sexually abusive domain is the most heavily weighted.
Based on the overall numerical score, note the assessed level of risk in both the Sexual Re-Offense,the Non-Abusive Problematic Sexual Behavior scale, and the Non-Sexual Behavioral Problems scale
Comment. A comment should be provided for every domain, providing an explanation for/or highlighting key concerns within the domain and ensuring that the reader can understand the evaluator’s rationale in assessment.

LA-SAAT/IR Domains

Domain 1. History of Sexually Abusive Behavior 1 element
Domain 2. Sexual Containment 8 elements
Domain 3. Non-Contact Sexual Ideation and Behavior 5 elements
Domain 4. Sexual Awareness and Beliefs 5 elements
Domain 5. Exposure to Sexual Experiences or Information 0 elements (Static only)
Domain 6.Non-Sexual Antisocial Behaviors 14 elements
Domain 7. Responsibility 6 elements
Domain 8. Relationships 9 elements
Domain 9. Cognitive Capacity and Ability 5 elements
Domain 10. Social Skills 7 elements
Domain 11. Management of Adversity/Trauma 2 elements
Domain 12. Personal Characteristics and Qualities 8elements
Domain 13. Psychiatric Comorbidity and Engagement in Treatment 7 elements
Domain 14. Substance Abuse 1 elements
Domain 15. Family Factors 9 elements
Domain 16. Environmental Conditions 4 elements
Total elements 91elements
Treatment Domain. Progress and Participation in Treatment for Sexually Troubled Behavior...... 20 elements

Caveat: Use of the LA-SAAT/IR With Older Versions of the LA-SAAT

The most current version of the LA-SAAT (version 4) has eliminated a number of risk factors that were included in prior versions, re-organized the sequence of the risk domains, and uses a numerical scoring system. The LA-SAAT/IR is intended to be used with the same version number as the initial LA-SAAT. Accordingly, in the event that the LA-SAAT/IR is used with an older version (V3 or before) of the LA-SAAT, the evaluator will have to make adjustments accordingly when including the static scores from the initial LA-SAAT, including matching risk domains by name, rather than domain number.

Domain 1. History of Sexually Abusive Behavior: Static History. Initially assessed sexually abusive behavior
Risk Element / Significance of Concern
Static Score:Assessed risk from initial LA-SAAT Domain 1 / 5: High // 4: Moderate-High // 3: Moderate 2: Low-Moderate // 1: Low
0: No history of sexually abusive behavior
At any time following initial assessment. If static score = 0, skip element 1 and “0” as Total Score
1. New, additional, or modified/changed information that changes, influences, or modifies initial assessment in Domain 1 / 3: New or changed information significantly elevates prior risk status
2: Moderately elevates risk status // 1: Mildly elevates risk status
0: No Change or irrelevant to prior risk status
Total Score, including static score:
If static score = 0, enter “0” for Total
Risk Level / Comment.
5+:High
4:Moderate-High
3:Moderate
2: Low-Moderate
1: Low
0: No history
For reference only: no further scoring required
Significant static risk elements identified in initial LA-SAAT risk assessment as “3”or “2” in terms of significance, or in the earlier version LA-SAAT.V3 as “elevated” or “moderate”
LA-SAAT Risk Element / Check / LA-SAAT Risk Element / Check
1. Severity of known sexually abusive behavior / 9. Use of weapons
2. Duration of known sexually abusive behavior / 10. Use of physical restraint
3. Substantiated/known victims / 11. Use of coercion
4. Other alleged/reported victims / 12. Progression in severity over time
5. Relationship to at least one victim / 13. Victim age (younger)
6. Victims of both genders / 14. Victim capacity/equality
7. Planned/predatory / 15. Awareness of sexual behavior as abusive/harmful
8. Use of violence or threats / 16. Sexually abusive behavior after prior apprehension
Domain 1 Protective Factors
Recognizes sexually abusive behavior as harmful to others
Acknowledges and accepts responsibility for sexually abusive behavior

Domain 2. Sexual Containment. Sexualized behavior while in treatment or during assessment
Risk Element / Significance of Concern (scoring code/descriptors offer examples only)
Static Score: Assessed risk from initial LA-SAAT Domain 2 / 5: High // 4: Moderate-High // 3: Moderate
2: Low-Moderate // 1: Low// 0: None/NA
Dynamic factors / All items are assessed based on current/recent behaviors
1. Sexual contact, actual or attempted / Within past six months, actual or attempted sexual contact made with at least one peer or treatment staff, consensual or non-consensual
3: Repeated engagement or attempt, or significant single episode
2: Periodic attempt or actual sexual engagement, or moderate single episode
1: Single or infrequent mild attempts to sexually engage, no actual contact at this time
0: No sexual attempts or contact/NA
2. Sexual containment / Within past six months, failure to contain or manage sexual interests or urges, demonstrated through reporting sexual or romantic feelings directly to staff or peers or engaging in behaviors such as creation or use of pornography, frequent masturbation during school day, exposure of sexual parts to others, attempts to have others expose themselves sexually, etc.
3: Significant or frequent demonstration of poor sexual containment
2: Periodic or on-going demonstration // 1: Mild or rare // 0: No concern
3. Sexual threats / Within past six months, use of threats to harm other in a sexual manner
3: Significant or frequent sexual threats // 2: Periodic use of sexual threats
1: Mild or rare use // 0: No concern
4. Sexually abusive behavior / Following admission to treatment or supervision, within past year actual engagement or attempt to engage in behavior that is sexually abusive due to lack of consent, age of other party, or other reason that defines the sexual behavior as abusive.
3: At least one significant actual or attempted incident
2: Do not score // 1: Do not score // 0: No known attempt or actual behavior
5. Inappropriate touch/contact / Within past six months, actual or attempted use of touch considered inappropriate due to sexual or related concerns
3: Frequent or on-going actual or attempted use of inappropriate physical touch or contact
2: Periodic actual or attempted use of inappropriate touch // 1: Mild or few concerns
0: No concern/NA
6. Public masturbation / Juvenile’s engagement in masturbation in public areas, or where others can clearly observe the masturbation, including open bedroom or bathroom
3: Frequent // 2: Moderate/periodic // 1: Mild/occasional // 0: No concern
7. Sexual contact with animals / Actual or attempted sexual contact with animal(s)
3: Frequent // 2: Moderate/periodic // 1: Mild/occasional // 0: No concern
8. Other sexualized behaviors of concern / If not already scored in elements 1-7, within past six months other sexualized behaviors such as sexualized comments or gestures, theft of clothing or sexual purposes, voyeurism, or other behaviors that raise concerns about sexual containment or thoughts.
3: Significant or persistent sexualized behaviors, other than those in domains 1-6
2: Moderate or periodic, but consistent, sexualized behaviors, other than those in domains 1-6
1: Mild or occasional sexualized behaviors, other than those in domains 1-6
0: No significant concern or if already scored in domains 1-6
Behavior of concern:
Total Score, including static score: / This domain assesses sexual behaviors that are non-abusive and consensual in nature, and initiated or engaged in by the child
Risk Level / Comment.
12 and above: High
10-11: Moderate-High
7-9: Moderate
5-6: Low-Moderate
1-4: Low
0: None/NA/Cannot Assess
Domain 2 Protective Factors
Acknowledges sexual behaviors as problematic
Wishes to stop engaging in sexualized behaviors
Demonstrates sexual containment