Psychological Services:
Helping educators and parents better understand a child's learning difficulties and how they interfere with that child's school success is the primary role of a school psychologist. Psychologists are dedicated to enriching the lives of students, who, for whatever reason, are unable to successfully participate in the academic and social environment of school. Services to those students from K through 12th grade are enhanced by the vast knowledge of psycho-educational assessment, child development, learning channels, special education programs, social-emotional functioning, behavior management techniques, and counseling strategies at the disposal of the school psychologist.
School psychologists can be mandated members of the Committee on Special Education. They are responsible for communicating the interpretation of results of specific tests and measurements administered to a child and how those results translate into potential educational needs. Psychologists are also required to conduct a re-evaluation every three years to determine continued eligibility for classification. At the elementary level a school psychologist will greet all youngsters preparing to enter kindergarten with an instrument for measuring school readiness. As consultant to other service providers, regular education teachers, administrators and outside service providers they provide specific interventions that direct a student back toward school success. Specifically, a school psychologist may formulate behavior intervention plans based on a Functional Behavioral Analysis or FBA. The FBA gives parents, teachers and all service providers a kind of blueprint to the actual underlying reasons for negative behavior. A specific strategy to diminish those behaviors with a substitute of more positive behaviors is then established.
For those needing in-school counseling services a School Psychologist will meet with students individually or in a group. Counseling can be provided as a mandate of a child's Individual Education Plan (IEP), and as an Educationally Related Support Service (ERSS) to those student's at risk or in crisis. The school psychologist is a strong advocate for the student in need. If you believe you know a child who is currently struggling in school and requires the expertise of a school psychologist, call your school for an appointment.