What is a School Psychologist?

• School Psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They use their training and skills to team with educators, students, parents, administrators, and other professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. School Psychologists understand school systems, effective teaching, and successful learning. They can provide solutions for tomorrow's problems through thoughtful and positive actions today.

What training does a School Psychologist have?

• The training requirements to become a School Psychologist are a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours, including a year-long internship. This training emphasizes preparation in educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum, instruction, behavioral and academic assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and school systems.

What do School Psychologists do?

• Consultation

  • Give healthy and effective alternatives to teachers, parents and administrators about problems in learning and behavior

  • Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior

• Assessment

  • Use a wide variety of techniques at an individual, group, and systems level to evaluate

    • Academic Skills

    • Learning Aptitudes

    • Social-emotional development

    • Social Skills

    • Adaptive skills

    • Functional behavioral skills

    • Learning environments and school climate

    • Eligibility for special education

• Intervention

  • Work directly with children and families

  • Help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment

  • Support social skills training, behavior managemet, and other strategies

  • Help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss

• Prevention

  • Identify potential learning difficulties

  • Work with teachers, specialists, and others to design programs for children at risk of failure

  • Assist parents and teachers with behavior management principles for hleping children and youth with disruptive behavior

  • Help foster tolerance, understanding and appreciation of diversity in the school community

Education

• Offer training to teachers and staff on topics of interest based on school needs, such as ADHD, Crisis intervention procedures, and behavior management support

• Hold membership on a number of school based support teams such as SAP, Student Support Teams, IEP meetings

What should I do if I have concerns about my child?

• Please start by contacting your child's teacher and the building principal to discuss your concerns.