The School Psychologist as Manager of Programming for ADHD

Abstract

The school psychologist is uniquely positioned to provide services to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). School psychologists can readily utilize naturalistic methods of assessment; they have the potential to be highly effective in consulting with teachers by establishing effective, ongoing, working alliances with educators. Although clinic-based professionals often have expertise in assessing and treating children with complex patterns of internalizing and externalizing behavior, they generally have difficulty acquiring naturalistic assessment data and collaborating with teachers on an ongoing basis. The role of the school psychologist in managing services for children with ADHD is examined in relation to legal mandates and recent trends in ADHD research and the practice of school psychology. The limitations of a school-based model are considered; the need for close collaboration between school-and clinic-based professionals is emphasized.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas J. Power

Thomas J. Power, PhD, is Co-Director of the ADHD Program at Children's Seashore House and Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Research interests include interventions for students with ADHD and academic skills problems.

Marc S. Atkins

Marc S. Atkins, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychology in Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Director of Internship Training, Children's Seashore House. Research interests include subtypes of aggression and school-based treatments for aggression and ADHD.

Mary L. Osborne

Mary L. Osborne, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Behavioral Psychology in Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Director of Outpatient Services in Pediatric Psychology at Children's Seashore House. Research interests include children's knowledge of AIDS and childhood aggression.

Nathan J. Blum

Nathan J. Blum, MD, is a third year Fellow in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Children's Seashore House and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Research interests include multimodal interventions in the treatment of behavioral problems.