PRACTICE: Intervention
2. BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION
School Psychologists provide a variety of direct and indirect services to students who present with inappropriate social behaviours. These students may be diagnosed with conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder or may display inappropriate behaviour as part of a complex of other disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (autistic disorder), mental retardation, mood disorders, etc.
Direct student services include such things as conducting anger management and social skills groups, direct counselling and advocacy, and establishing behaviour management plans in conjunction with the student, family and school. Indirect services can take the form of collaboration in the development and implementation of safe schools programmes, provision of workshops in behavioural techniques, development of policies around the use of restraints, suspension, etc.
Behavioural programming focuses on the development of age appropriate academic social and life skills. Interventions begin with a functional assessment of the problem behaviors which includes the recognition that problem behaviour serves a purpose for the student, has a communicative intent, is context related, and may service multiple purposes. All interventions must respect the student's dignity, personal privacy and right to individual choice.
3. CONSULTATION
Psychological Services staff (psychologists, psychological
associates and psychoeducational consultants) provide consultation
services to parents, students, teachers, school administrators
and other Board of Education support staff on the social, emotional,
intellectual, physical development of students, as well as
the students' learning strengths and needs. Psychological consultation
benefits students by assisting in the development of appropriate
classroom programs and remedial strategies, and in providing
appropriate social/emotional interventions within the school.
Psychological consultation also may lead to recommendations
for therapeutic interventions with community agencies, hospitals
and professionals. Where this occurs, Psychological Services
staff act as a liaison between the community agencies/professionals
and the Board of Education staff who are directly involved
with the student. Consultation services may be provided through
the School Team to individual teachers, administrative staff
and/or groups of school staff. Consultation services to parents
and students is usually accessed through the school principal.
Psychological Services may have on file existing information on services previously provided to the student and family, either through a Board of Education or a community agency/hospital/professional (eg. psychological, speech and language, social work, medical and psychiatric services). This information would have been obtained with parental consent. A school principal or parent may request Psychological Services to review their files to consult on previous information that is available to assist the student. When previous information is not on file, Psychological Services can assist in obtaining information from a Board of Education or community agency/hospital/professional with the written consent of the parent or adult student.
Psychological Consultation with Parents Can Help…..
- to obtain relevant family background information to assist the student in school;
- to help parents understand their children's learning, social/emotional and behavioural needs;
- to help develop and implement strategies to be used at home;
- to advise and recommend appropriate Board of Education and community resources/support services;
- to provide student and family support in crisis situations.
- Psychological Consultation with Educators Can Help......
- to identify the students' strengths and needs;
- to develop and implement strategies and program modifications which address the needs of students experiencing learning, social/emotional and behavioural difficulties;
- to facilitate referrals for additional support;
- to assist in dealing with traumatic experiences.
4. COUNSELLING
School psychologists have training and expertise in the area of counselling. The counselling might be carried out with individuals or it can involve group counselling. Social skills training in groups is a common form of counselling offered by school psychologists.
5. CRISIS INTERVENTION
School psychologists have training and expertise in the area of Crisis Intervention. They are usually a major player in school Board's Traumatic Events Response Team. They also can provide individual and group counselling to staff and/or students who have experienced a crisis or trauma.
