A Guide to Psychiatric Services in Schools: Understanding Roles, Treatment, and Collaboration [With CDROM]

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In order to meet the special educational needs of students with psychiatric diagnoses, school mental health professionals and educators need a better understanding of these diagnoses and the medications used to treat them. Effective communication with physicians is also crucial to delivering comprehensive care; a dialogue between psychiatrists and school professionals not only helps both parties in their treatments, but also greatly benefits the student. The purpose of this text is to provide the practical information to school professionals that is necessary to meet the educational and treatment needs of students with different psychiatric diagnoses. The text begins with the necessary background information on the process and content of psychiatric evaluations and formulations, as well as a discussion of the roles psychiatry has in the counseling and education of students. A brief introduction to pharmacology to help the reader understand the specifics of psychiatric medications used is also included. Next, a variety of psychiatric diagnoses and treatment options are discussed in detail; those covered include behavioral, mood, anxiety, eating, psychotic, and Autism Spectrum disorders. Where appropriate, other methods of treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are discussed. Finally, the author considers ways to effectively manage mental health crises in the school setting. An accompanying CD will contain rating forms for school professionals to complete to assess symptoms of externalizing and internalizing behavior disorders; examples include the Conner Teacher Rating Scales, Child Depression Inventory, anxiety rating scales, the Young Mania RatingScale, and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Also on this CD will be medication information handouts for each class of medication, designed specifically for school counselors and psychologists.