If students at your school are not attending classes or coming to school at all, they may be engaging in school refusal. Understanding what school refusal is, as well as the functions behind it, is key to evaluation and a collaborative school-home approach to intervention.

This descriptive study examined the perceptions of a national sample of school psychologists in the United States regarding their perceived knowledge, preferred roles, and training needs in the prevention and treatment of nine prominent child and adolescent internalizing disorders. The results indicated that participants perceived the prevention…

This study examined the perceptions of a national sample of school psychologists in the United States regarding their knowledge, preferred roles and training needs in the assessment of nine prominent childhood internalizing disorders. Knowledge about all disorders was rated by respondents as being at least fairly important. In particular,…

School attendance is an ongoing concern for administrators, particularly in middle-level and high school. Frequent absences affect student learning, test scores, and social development. Administrators who understand the causes of school refusal behavior and are aware of effective intervention strategies can help provide supportive school…

Evidence from this study suggests that if the sample size is large and if economic barriers to treatment are not present, one finds that intelligence is distributed among school phobics as it is distributed in the general population. Implications for practice and research are discussed. (Author)

This study reports a successful behavior change program in a 6-year-old girl who became physically ill and continually cried at school. Behavior shaping procedures were used that differentially reinforced successive approximations to the final desired behavior. A unique aspect of this program was its utilization of the girl's mother as the primary…

The importance of prompt treatment of the school phobic child, and the need for good communication among those concerned, are addressed in this article. The manifestation of school phobia is described and intervention methods are reviewed. (Author/MT)

Categorized, specific. (CJ)

This case study presents an example of how one school psychologist helped a child and an entire class solve a problem. Although the techniques used are not unique to school psychological practice, the problems presented by their use are. The procedure consisted of a desensitization process lasting ten weeks. (Author)

Learning theory can be an effective tool in dealing with problem behavior, in this case school phobia. Social reinforcement techniques were used by counselors and teachers to obtain and maintain improved attendance. (CJ)

This case study illustrates how behavioral consultation can be integrated by the school psychologist using a modification and expansion of Kennedy's "rapid treatment procedure" in eliminating school phobia. The importance of including teachers, parents, and administrators as consultees and participants in the decision-making process is…

"Communique" is the "official newsletter of the National Association of School Psychologists" (NASP). This "Special Edition" of "Communique" is a compilation of previously published articles all of which bear on information frequently requested by families. NASP is dedicated to building partnerships between…

The book presents 27 case studies illustrating psychological interventions with behavior problem school children. Studies ususally introduce the target population, describe the method of psychological evaluation, report the results of treatment, and discuss the case's implications. Among cases reported are investigations of stimulant medication on…