An estimated 20% of students have an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder.

Teachers are often the first to notice these problems — and with this reader-friendly guide, they’ll have the information they need to help create effective learning environments for children and adolescents and collaborate effectively with mental health providers. Along with a detailed overview of the mental health system and the different types of mental health professionals, education professionals will get separate chapters on 11 specific mental health issues, each describing

• characteristics of the disorder
  
  
• ways the disorder might be manifested
  
  
• the process for diagnosing the disorder
  
  
• types of intervention and treatment
  
  
• practical guidelines on working with students who have the disorder
  

Educators will also find specific strategies for building collaborative partnerships with mental health professionals and families; case studies illustrating successful collaboration; and appendices of definitions, DSM-IV-TR criteria for various disorders discussed in the book, common medications used to treat mental health disorders, and support organizations.

Equally useful for preservice and in-service general and special educators — and for the mental health providers who partner with them — this important book will prepare readers to understand students with mental health disorders and help improve their chances for social and academic success.

1. Introduction
   
   
2. Brain-Mind Emotional Interactions in the Classroom
   
   
3. Structure of the Mental Health Profession
   

II. Biologically Based Disorders

4. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
   
   
5. Autism and Other Severe Pervasive Developmental Disorders
   
   
6. Asperger Syndrome
   
   
7. Psychotic Disorders
   

III. Biologically and/or Psychologically-Based Disorders

8. Substance Use and Abuse
   
   
9. Eating Disorders
   
   
10. Anxiety Disorders
    
    
11. Mood Disorders
    

IV. The Behavioral Disorders

12. Peer Problems
    
    
13. Adjustment Disorders
    
    
14. Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
    

V. Tools and Techniques for Collaboration

15. Collaborating with Mental Health Professionals
    
    
16. Families of Children with Mental Health Issues
    
    
17. Examples of Collaboration
    

Appendices

1. Diagnostic Categories and Criteria
   
   
2. Medications
   
   
3. Resources
   

Index