Description: Anyone involved in the assessment and treatment of children suffering with mental disorders will find this volume indispensable. Designed for quick, convenient reference, it offers clinical descriptions of childhood disorders commonly seen by mental health professionals, including complete discussions of assessment and treatment options. The book is organized to answer the questions practitioners ask about each case: What are the characteristics of the disorder? Are there any tests I can use to assess it thoroughly? What treatments can I use? Each chapter covers a single disorder or cluster of disorders described in the DSM-IV. All chapters feature a consistent structure plus summary tables for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, so clinicians can easily find specific information on demand. Although research and theory are summarized throughout, the emphasis is on practical, clinical considerations. Extensive references help clinicians seeking additional information about a disorder. Each chapter contains three sections: clinical description, assessment patterns, and treatment options. The clinical description provides an overall picture of the disorder which may be used to guide the clinical interview and initial formulations. It covers issues related to making a diagnosis, including diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-IV; a summary of the psychological, behavioral, and social appearance of a typical child with the disorder; and a discussion of the theories of etiology that are best supported by research. In the assessment patterns section the authors offer recommendations for assessing a child using standardized psychological instruments. They discuss the strengths, weaknesses,and appropriate uses of the most widely used tests, including intelligence tests, achievement tests, adaptive functioning tests, psychological assessment instruments, and syndrome-specific tests. A sample assessment battery illustrates useful tests for most children presenting with the disorder. Treatment options include behavioral interventions, five types of psychotherapy, family interventions, medication, inpatient hospitalization, special education, and referral to other professionals or authorities. All treatment options presented have been the subject of theoretical and research work. In each case the treatment is discussed specifically as it pertains to the disorder.

Please Wait