The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates that about .05% of children have the brain disorder called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recognizing OCD and anxiety disorders and helping children get needed help is tremendously challenging for schools. Sidebars list publications and organizations. (MLH)

Parents' efforts to help their children learn are more important to academic success than the family's economic well-being. This article describes recent research affirming the importance of parent-school involvement and outlines strategies for removing barriers, weighing model programs, and constructing a program that stresses open communications…

Listed as the nation's leading chronic health condition among children, asthma afflicts 5.3 million youngsters. About 5 to 10 percent of school children have asthma. Asthma management must be aggressive, involving students, teachers, and parents. An individualized treatment plan for each asthmatic student is essential. (MLH)

Although educators are becoming familiar with fetal drug exposure, few realize how early alcohol exposure can cripple children's physical, social, academic development. Unlike some drug-affected kids, alcohol-exposed children seldom outgrow symptoms such as impaired IQ, impulsiveness, erratic sleeping patterns. Schools must identify and refer…

Because many drug-exposed children have normal-range cognitive abilities despite having some language-development and attention problems, schools do not have to build new special-education wings or teach these children one-on-one. Schools can serve these children best by setting up and coordinating intervention programs with other agencies. (18…

Research shows that many students lack civic engagement, civic literacy, and the disposition toward becoming responsible citizens. Teachers must convey the meaning of citizenship and its context, rights, and responsibilities. Project Citizen, Outward Bound, and service learning programs can help students learn democratic participation behaviors.…

The Autism Research Institute says autism-like disorders affect 15 out of 10,000 children. Cases are climbing in schools, partly due to expanded diagnostic codes (see sidebar). Autistic children are often misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit, learning, or emotional disorders. Schools can help by providing good teachers and early intervention.…

Eating disorders among teens and younger children have reached epidemic levels. The school's primary role in helping students who may have eating disorders is referring them to specialists. Schools can also help students learn good eating habits and designate a resource person to serve as a liaison with community medical and mental health…