Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

The authors in this book outline a new definition and treatment of behaviorally disordered children and adolescents. The emphasis throughout is on the development of the principles and treatment procedures that will allow the reader to apply the strategies necessary to teach behaviorally disordered students to learn to control their own social and academic behavior in the school setting. Treatment is largely based on a self-management and social-skills training model--a model which has gained increasing support and attention in the last decade. Self-management and social skills function best when they are gradually and successfully practiced under specifically controlled conditions. Under these conditions, students learn to appreciate their teachers and their teachers' efforts to help them learn to help themselves. They demonstrate improved academic proficiency, social competence, and enhanced self-esteem. For teachers, counselors, administrators, school and child psychologists, behavior analysts, and other mental health professionals.

A number of emotional and behavioral conditions--including depression, Tourette's syndrome, bipolar disorder, and narcissism--have been viewed as predominantly adult disorders until recently. The author discusses these and other problems that afflict students enrolled in school, and gives guidance to the professionals who work with them.

An extensively revised version of the first edition, this text focuses on the practical foundational knowledge required to practice social work effectively in the complex and fast-changing world of services to children and their families. The core organizing framework consists of eight pragmatic perspectives: combating adultcentrism, family-centered practice, the strengths perspective, respect for diversity and difference, the least restrictive alternative, ecological perspective, organization and financing, and achieving outcomes. Unlike most texts that focus either on direct practice or on policy, Petr's revised volume integrates current policy-including recent reform efforts-with "best practices." The student thus gains a deep appreciation for how direct social work practice is linked to, and even guided by, contemporary policy initiatives and the values that underscore those initiatives. Two new chapters are devoted specifically to the fields of child welfare and children's mental health, providing an overview of the laws, policies, practices, and terminology pertaining to each setting. The next eight chapters focus on each pragmatic perspective and its relevance to child welfare and children's mental health. The in-depth case studies that comprise the concluding two chapters illustrate how typical client situations can be successfully addressed within the context of the pragmatic perspectives. Packed with case studies, specific practice instruction, chapter summaries, and suggested learning activities, this book prepares students and practitioners to think and act professionally in ways that are consistent with current laws, values, policies, and reform efforts in the field.