CLINICAL EVALUATIONS OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN
A Structured Approach to the Diagnosis of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders
(2nd Edition)

By
Susan K. Samuels
Susana Sikorsky

    In the 8 years since the publication of the first edition of this book, criteria for the diagnosis of mental disorders in children and adolescents have undergone many changes.  A prominent illustration of these changes is the publication of the DSM-IV.  Mental health professionals in schools must gather data, refine evaluations, respond to referral sources, prepare reports for clinical consultations, and interpret clinical findings to parents and school staff.  One of the problems in communication between school personnel and outside professionals is the wide variation of terms used in the two different settings.  Because most reports from clinicians include terms from the DSM-IV, knowledge of the specific criteria associated with each syndrome is necessary for school professionals both in their role as consultants in the school setting and as a liaison between the schools and clinical practitioners.  This book provides an exceptionally well-designed system for understanding and communicating diagnostic findings between professionals.  The authors have included a Checklist of 16 symptoms whose presence or absence should routinely be considered as part of the evaluation process, an updated and revised Comprehensive Summary of all the characteristics for each disorder, and a revised Interview Form for use by mental health professionals when consulting with parents, teachers, and other school personnel.  Illustrative case histories and comments are also included.

REVIEWS

   "Clinical Evaluations of School-Aged Children will be of considerable value to practitioners who must address DSM-III-R criteria for children's disorders. It offers a systematic, structured approach that will help to provide consistency in making diagnostic formulations. At the same time, the authors acknowledge appropriate cautions about the difficulties in differential diagnosis using DSM-III-R, and give case examples of various disorders."
-Thomas J. Huberty, PhD, Associate Professor, School Psychology Program, Indiana University

   "The authors offer an easy to use, clearly presented review of the behavioral symptomatology needed to diagnose young clients... [T]here are very few other (competing) publications to seriously challenge this book on a practical, every day utilization level... highly recommended for all clinicians who are professionally required to diagnose emotionally troubled children and adolescents... also recommended for educators, trainers, and supervisors of mental health professionals as it has a very relevant place in the teaching of mental health diagnoses and diagnostic thinking."
-Jack I. Novick, PhD, reviewing in CASP Newsletter