This paper reiterates the utility of both standardized tests and direct observations of behavior, despite the problems related to each of these assessment procedures. An additional assessment technique is recommended which combines the "best of both worlds". Three examples of observations with norms are described. (Author)

In this article several functions for the school psychologist were proposed, including assistance in the selection of students for vocational programs designed for the handicapped and disadvantaged, teacher consultation, and consultation in the development of career programs. (Author)

This paper discusses the need for, and development of, a program of psychoeducational therapy within a school system. Reasons are delineated that make this a responsibility model of school psychology practice. The therapy program is part of a larger supporting thrust in intervention, features of which are briefly referred to. (Author)

Although much research has been done examining adult stressors, only recently have researchers focused attention on measuring levels of stress in children. Because children tend not to be aware of their own tense state, instruments are needed to measure levels of stress in children. The two main methods of measuring stress in children are to ask…

This literature review examines parental reactions following the birth of a cleft lip/palate child, focusing primarily on the mother's reactions. The research studies cited have explored such influences on maternal reactions as her feelings of lack of control over external forces and her feelings of guilt that the deformity was her fault. Delays…

This paper presents the basic premises of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, a model of intervention based on systems theory, and how this approach is uniquely suited to the needs of school psychologists within a public school setting. Five key principles are described: (1) complaints are interaction based; (2) change in one part of the system leads…

Suicide and the threat of suicide are important mental health issues for health service providers. Who a potential victim turns to for help initially and how capable that person is in recognizing the signs of potential suicide are critical issues not fully addressed by research. A study was conducted to examine the ability of various service…

As self-help groups have grown in number, mental health professionals have found themselves increasingly involved in such groups. This study examined how mental health professionals viewed the appropriateness of a variety of roles sometimes assumed by mental health professionals when they work with self-help groups. Social workers, psychologists,…

This directory of ethnic minority professionals in psychology was developed from responses by about 600 professionals. Minority categories include American Indians/Alaska Natives; Asians/Pacific Islanders; Blacks/Afro-Americans; and American Hispanics/Latinos. Each entry provides: name, sex, business address and phone number, highest degree…

This document discusses basic knowledge about the reading process, in order to help school psychologists make effective recommendations for educational programming. The paper begins by identifying and describing three models of the reading process, a traditional "bottom-up" model, a more emergent "top-down" view, and an interactive model which…

Federal and local mandates to expand the services of school psychologists downward to children ages 3 to 5 and interest in private practice and employment in institutions other than public schools have increased school psychologists' desires for broader role definitions. To meet the needs of the client group created by recent changes in the…

Believing that an individual's development is strongly influenced by the way the person perceives his or her environment, Kurt Lewin had a strong influence on the theoretical foundations of social-emotional climate research. Lewin's theories may be compared with the following basic theoretical foundations of social climate research: symbolic…

These five symposium papers address the gap between behavioral and psychoanalytic theories. "Teaching the Integration of Different Models to Therapists-in-Training," by Richard P. Halgin, suggests that students should concentrate on a broad-based education, using the best of several approaches to fit individual client needs, rather than…

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) whether prior opinions concerning a child's sex influence the qualities attributed to the child; (2) whether differences exist in the responses of male and female raters; and (3) the effect of forced-choice responses vis-a-vis non-forced responses. An 8-minute videotape of a 22-month-old infant…

There has been an increasing call for school psychologists to spend time collecting data that are functionally related to the planning of academic interventions. In order to identify the problem and plan for remediation, data must be taken that bear directly on the child's academic problems in the classroom and the curricular sequences actually…