The NEATS is a child and family assessment that focuses on five areas that research has established as fundamental to child development and development over the life course. These areas are neurobiology, executive function, attachment, trauma, and self regulation. The title NEATS draws from the first letter of each of the five areas.
The goal of a NEATS assessment is the development of case plans characterized by interventions that build on client strengths. To do so, practitioners identify risks and adversities as well as resources, competencies, strengths, and resilience processes in the multiple ecologies in which children and their families live their lives. The result is a case plan that uses resources to help manage risk and adversities and thus to promote optimal child and family functioning.