This miniseries summarizes the major modifications in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM), and evaluates research pertaining to the changes made in the criteria for diagnoses. States that it is important for school psychologists to understand the contributions and limitations of the DSM because they often…

Describes major modifications in diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reflected in Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), summarizing pertinent research. Discusses clinical utility and limitations of DSM-IV with regard to the practice of school psychology. Gives specific suggestions to guide…

States that the literature suggests that decision makers lack insight into the cues they use to reach conclusions. Compares school psychologists' subjective versus objective cue-use when analyzing three clinical cases. Results indicated that there was little correspondence between the psychologists' subjective impressions about the importance of…

Counselors, social workers, and psychologists in Illinois reported their training regarding female victims of violence. Results show 56% had training on sexual assault, 59% on domestic violence, 36% on sexual harassment, and 78% on childhood sexual abuse/incest. The ways in which training was obtained are discussed. Recommendations for future…

Presents a blueprint from Project ACHIEVE toward effective school discipline, safety, and crisis prevention that provides an example of how school psychologists can expand their role using organizational and strategic planning principles and activities as well as to alert school psychologists as to a field-tested process that addresses the…

School psychologists are often asked to respond to student violence based on incomplete information about the nature and scope of these problems. Compares the methods and findings of three national surveys of students to understand what methodological characteristics have the most salient impact on their findings. Results suggest that student…

Sixty-one clinical psychologists evaluated a case summary of an adult client which incorporated indicators of possible sexual abuse. Significantly more clinicians hypothesized that the female client (compared to the male client) had been sexually abused in childhood. More recently qualified clinicians and clinicians whose predominant orientation…

Examines the diagnostic utility of subtest variability for identifying students with learning disabilities (LD) by surveying students (n=2,200) in a normative sample and students (n=684) identified as LD. Results indicated that LD students did not differ from normative sample students at levels above chance. Concludes that deviation of individual…

School districts (N=121) in a Southeastern state were surveyed concerning the prevalence and practices of contract school psychological services in public schools. Most reported that their primary service was providing triennial reevaluations. Survey determined that the most pressing concern regarding contractual services is ensuring that these…

Reviews the characteristics of academic women in psychology, detailing what is known about women's participation in various academic roles, describing their successes in those roles, and discussing obstacles to their success in psychology as a discipline and in the academe more broadly. Recommendations for enhancing women's success in academia are…

School psychologists (N=370) from a national organization were surveyed about their roles, types of referrals, consultation practices, and crisis team involvement. Assessment was the most common role. Most referrals were for academic problems. Behavioral consultation was the most common model. The majority of respondents had some involvement in…

Investigates the validity of the Roberts Apperception Test for Children (RATC) by examining the appropriateness of the standardization norms with other nonclinical samples. Findings suggest that the children in this study form a separate and distinct group from the well-adjusted children upon which the RATC scales were normed and supports previous…

Describes the Third Symposium on Chicano Psychology (East Lansing, Michigan, April 1998). Provides an overview of earlier meetings on Chicano psychology, 1973-82. Discusses the diversity of conference participants, increased participation by Chicanas, presentation themes, barriers to Chicanos during their academic and professional careers, the…

It has been argued that the nature of academic school psychological programs and the training provided by them are revealed mainly by the informal and often more latent messages delivered to students. Posits that these informal determinants of the training program determine to a large extent the role definition of school psychology that guides…

Over the last few decades, psychologists and other health professionals have called attention to the importance of considering cultural and ethnic-minority aspects in any psychosocial interventions. Although, at present, there are published guidelines on the practice of culturally competent psychology, there is still a lack of practical…