IM-CANS (questions and answers) A+
graded 2025 updated
ACES - correct answer ✔✔Yes/No answers - there either is or isn't
Behavioral/Emotional Needs - correct answer ✔✔0 - no need for action
1 - Identified need
2 - Action is required; interfering with functioning
3 - Dangerous/Disabling; requires immediate action
Depression - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence of depression
1 - history or suspicion of depression
2 - clear evidence of depression; depression is interfering with individual's ability to function in
at least one life domain
3 - clear evidence that depression makes it hard to function in any life domain
Anxiety - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - history or suspicion - mild/moderate anxiety
2 - anxiety interfering within at least one life domain
3 - anxiety is interfering in all life domains (disabling)
Eating Disturbance - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - history or suspicion (preoccupation with weight, calorie intake, body image)
2 - restrictive eating habits, excessive activity, binge/purge episodes
3 - significantly low weight resulting in hospitalization or excessive binging/purging episodes.
, Adjsutment to Trauma - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - the individual has experienced a traumatic event and is experiencing some changes in
behavior. symptoms expected to ease with time - no intervention needed.
2 - clear evidence of adjustment problems associated with traumatic life events (flashbacks,
intrusive thoughts, nightmares, significant anxiety).
Regulatory (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔0 - no need for intervention (is able to self-regulate
emotions)
1 - at least one area of concern - breathing, body temp, sleep, transitions, feeding, crying - but
caregiver feels that adjustments are needed on their part to improve regulation for the child.
2 - concern in one or more areas
3 - concern in two or more areas
N/A - individual is 6 years of age or older
Failure to Thrive (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔this item rates the presence of problems with weight
gain or growth.
0 - no current need
1 - may have experienced problems in the past but is currently not experiencing problems.
2 - experiencing problems in maintaining weight
3 - currently at serious medical risk
N/A - the child is 6 years of age or older
Atypical/Repetitive Behaviors (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - repetitive behaviors that may have mild or occasional interference with the child's
functioning
2 - noticed by unfamiliar people and cause interference in functioning
3 - occur with high frequency and are disabling/dangerous
graded 2025 updated
ACES - correct answer ✔✔Yes/No answers - there either is or isn't
Behavioral/Emotional Needs - correct answer ✔✔0 - no need for action
1 - Identified need
2 - Action is required; interfering with functioning
3 - Dangerous/Disabling; requires immediate action
Depression - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence of depression
1 - history or suspicion of depression
2 - clear evidence of depression; depression is interfering with individual's ability to function in
at least one life domain
3 - clear evidence that depression makes it hard to function in any life domain
Anxiety - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - history or suspicion - mild/moderate anxiety
2 - anxiety interfering within at least one life domain
3 - anxiety is interfering in all life domains (disabling)
Eating Disturbance - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - history or suspicion (preoccupation with weight, calorie intake, body image)
2 - restrictive eating habits, excessive activity, binge/purge episodes
3 - significantly low weight resulting in hospitalization or excessive binging/purging episodes.
, Adjsutment to Trauma - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - the individual has experienced a traumatic event and is experiencing some changes in
behavior. symptoms expected to ease with time - no intervention needed.
2 - clear evidence of adjustment problems associated with traumatic life events (flashbacks,
intrusive thoughts, nightmares, significant anxiety).
Regulatory (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔0 - no need for intervention (is able to self-regulate
emotions)
1 - at least one area of concern - breathing, body temp, sleep, transitions, feeding, crying - but
caregiver feels that adjustments are needed on their part to improve regulation for the child.
2 - concern in one or more areas
3 - concern in two or more areas
N/A - individual is 6 years of age or older
Failure to Thrive (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔this item rates the presence of problems with weight
gain or growth.
0 - no current need
1 - may have experienced problems in the past but is currently not experiencing problems.
2 - experiencing problems in maintaining weight
3 - currently at serious medical risk
N/A - the child is 6 years of age or older
Atypical/Repetitive Behaviors (0-6) - correct answer ✔✔0 - no evidence
1 - repetitive behaviors that may have mild or occasional interference with the child's
functioning
2 - noticed by unfamiliar people and cause interference in functioning
3 - occur with high frequency and are disabling/dangerous
