KSA of the Day: Assessment and Diagnosis

KSA of the Day: ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS.  A pretty straightforward section--facts, facts, facts.  Here, some links to help you gather them:  The methods of involving a client in identifying the presenting problem; The components and function of the mental status exam; Medications; The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association; The indicators of sexual abuse; Risk factors related to suicide

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KSA of the Day: Information Gathering

Now, section II: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning, which makes up 26% of the ASWB Clinical Exam.  KSA of the Day: INFORMATION GATHERING.

Some help here:

• BPSS Assessment & the MSE (Social Work Podcast)
• Biopsychosocial Model (Wikipedia) 
• The Social Work Interview (Washington.edu)

KSA of the Day: Addictions

KSA of the Day:  ADDICTIONS.  How best to prepare for answering questions about addiction?  Do a little social work!  Which you've already done.  After that, studying up about Motivational Interviewing is a good idea.

If you're following along on the outline, you might be wondering, what's "Addiction Theory"?  Here's a primer in slides via SlideShare:

KSA of the Day: Effects of Diversity

Clinical KSA of the Day:  EFFECTS OF DIVERSITY.  Here's a source to get exam-ready on the topic:  The NASW's Diversity and Equality page. 

KSA of the Day: Human Behavior in the Environment

Clinical KSA of the Day:  HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT.  Some links:  The Person in Environment (PIE) theory; Psychological defense mechanisms; The dynamics of sexual abuse; The effects of trauma on behavior. If you're the overstudying type, you could bury yourself in this section--and in the entire outline--for a long, long while.  (Note: Don't overstudy!)

KSA of the Day: Human Development in the Life Cycle

KSA of the day (from the clinical section of the ASWB Content Outline @ aswb.org).  Reading this can bring on a wave of anxiety.  But it seems harder than it is.  Much of what you'll be tested on takes common sense social work instinct that you've likely had in place for years.  First section: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIFE CYCLE.

For brushing up, here's a PowerPoint summarizing several developmental theories, courtesy of Dr. A.M. Gonzalez.