Assessing a student for emotional disturbance is a serious and complex task given the stigma of the label and the ambiguities of the federal definition. One way that school psychologists can be more confident in their assessment results is to cross validate data from different sources using the RIOT approach (Review, Interview, Observe, Test).…

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most challenging chronic conditions for children, families, schools, and physicians. Because symptoms of ADHD can be mistaken for other health conditions and misdiagnosis can occur, accurate diagnosis and treatment require comprehensive evaluation. This article introduces a school-based…

School psychologists working in Nova Scotia (NS) were surveyed to determine their current practices and preferred future roles. The goals of the study were to: (a) provide insight into the practice of school psychology in NS, (b) compile a valuable resource for potential students entering into the field, (c) provide information for educational…

A complex of forceful influences is greatly accelerating the use of what are usually referred to as "psychiatric drugs," although most prescribing is not done by psychiatrists. Many other clinicians, including other kinds of physicians, and recently psychologists, prescribe these medications. The influences contributing to this dramatic…

Knowledge of evidence-based pharmacological and psychosocial treatments is essential to carrying out roles and responsibilities within school-based practice. The purpose of this paper is to review the level of support for three psychotropic drugs reported in the literature to treat symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).…

School psychology, the professional application of psychology to education environments and programs, has evolved during the last hundred years to become a critically valuable source of support for the learning and development of children and youth throughout the world. This review of "The Handbook of International School Psychology"…

In the DfES review of the role and contribution of educational psychologists (2006) the views of a range of different stakeholders were surveyed about the work that EPs do. As part of this process, questionnaires were devised and sent out to 300 parents, 30 from 10 local authorities (LA), distributed by the principal educational psychologist in…

This article is an initial evaluation of a motor skills assessment for primary aged children. The Manchester Motor Skills Assessment (MMSA) is designed to be quick and easy for teaching assistants to complete, with the dual purposes of informing group programme planning and demonstrating an individual child's progress following a period of…

A team of researchers consisting of counselor education professors and doctoral-level counseling students conducted interviews with Honduran mental health professionals, including counselors, psychologists, pastors, community developmental specialists, and psychiatrists. The purpose was to understand the counseling process and profession that…

Ethical guidelines require school psychologists to ensure that their assessment practices are nondiscriminatory, but typical discussions on this topic neglect the possible discriminatory effects of cultural stereotypes on assessment results. Recent research on "stereotype threat" shows that students' knowledge of stereotype-based negative…

While college campuses are relatively safe environments, the promise of safety and security on campus was shattered by a single gunman on April 16, 2007. Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, shot 49 students and faculty, killing 32, before killing himself. The authors are psychologists and directors of university counseling centers; they…

In the fall of 2005 and as a second year doctoral student in an educational leadership program, the author was given the opportunity to participate in oral history research with three other White women, including one professor and two doctoral students. The oral history involved interviewing approximately twenty prior students of Frederick…

This article addresses issues faced by school psychologists when assessing students who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD). The authors describe the growing CLD population and legal requirements for assessment of CLD students for special education eligibility. Difficulties associated with referral and assessment procedures of CLD…

Although childhood death from health-related disorders has decreased dramatically in the United States due largely to advances in medical technology, it is an unfortunate fact of life that children can and do die from medical and health-related problems. A possible role for school psychologists in dealing with this situation is providing direct…

Vocational psychology has recently begun examining the career development of marginalized and underrepresented populations. Social cognitive career theory provides a theoretical understanding of how cultural differences, resources, and barriers may affect the vocational choices and actions of individuals from minority populations. Contextual…