School psychologists should use informal assessment to alter both their role and image. They can improve classroom teachers' use of informal assessment by promoting acceptable standards of psychometric quality and providing staff development for teachers. (Author)

An ecological orientation emphasizing systemlike interdependencies among environment, organism, and behavior suggests several substantial additions to conventional role functions of behavioral school psychologists. Such functions involve taking an active part in evaluating and assessing second-order consequences of behavioral interventions.…

Presents an interview with Susan Lederman that contains a fascinating and informative overview of the recent developments in neuropsychological research concerning the sense of touch. Discusses the physiological processes that support this sensory experience and reveals them to be much more flexible, intricate, and adaptive than previously…

Describes an agency's implementation of problem-solving consultation. Case examples are used to illustrate various components and efforts made to evaluate perceptions of problem solving consultation. Strategies to guide further implementation of consultation at the systems level are summarized. Discusses areas in which additional resources would…

Basic features and methodological requirements of a cognitive-behavioral perspective on childhood anxieties and phobias and their social and academic implications are discussed. Topics addressed include disorder classification, multimethod problem solving, data collection treatment techniques, and the role of teachers. (TJH)

School psychologists must utilize an interdisciplinary approach to understand and analyze language disturbances, by examining the student's motor coordination, sensorium, perception, cognition, emotionality, and sociability. Implications for the practice of school psychology are offered in the areas of dyslalia, dysgrammatia, retardation of…

Information from 290 school psychologists was compared to Frankenberger and Fronzaglio's 1991 data on state education department recommendations on evaluating discrepancies between ability and achievement. A trend toward more appropriate methods of quantifying discrepancies between ability and achievement was noted, but considerable questionable…

Describes the major phenomena that characterize obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) in children and adolescents. Provides examples of behavioral manifestations of these disorders in the school setting. Discusses the school psychologist's role, with particular emphasis placed on a behavioral consultative approach for assessing and treating…

Investigated parents' perceptions of the importance of selected functions of school psychologists, their ratings of problems in multidisciplinary team special education placement meetings, and their overall satisfaction with psychological services. Parents rated all functions as important and assigned greater importance to all functions, except…

Examines the use of consultation and school-based multidisciplinary team conferences in the delivery of educational and psychological services for mainstreamed handicapped children. Step-by-step illustrations of problem solving in a consultative relationship are extended to team problem solving. Reviews research that supports these practices. (GLR)

L. S. Hollingworth (1886-1939), a neglected pioneer in educational psychology, challenged the prevailing view of the inferiority of women's intelligence and was a founder of the field of education for the gifted. This biographical sketch highlights her many accomplishments in unpopular fields. (SLD)

Article discusses five points that should be considered before implementing consultation techniques in the school setting. Consultants are encouraged to think carefully about their intervention techniques, are urged to follow a collaborative consultation model, and are reminded of Whitehead's notion that life should be the subject matter for…

The provisions of Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, that relate to school psychologists are discussed. The training needs of psychologists who will be involved in planning and implementing services for infants and toddler are explored. (SLD)

A survey for rating characteristics/skills of effective consultant behavior was developed and sent to and received from 177 school psychological/consultation experts and 307 school psychology practitioners nationwide. Four factors--consultation process skills, expert skills, personal characteristics, and interpersonal skills--were shared across…

In the coming century school psychologists must concentrate on proactive strategies for developing a prosocial orientation in children. A "perestroika" (restructuring of priorities) must enable school psychologists to promote an orientation focusing on prosocial behavior and related cognitive and affective aspects. (SLD)