Children on child protective service caseloads: prevalence and nature of serious emotional disturbance

A multivariate, criterion-referenced approach was used to assess prevalence of serious emotional disturbance among children on protective service case loads. Of 140 recipients of protective services, 72% were statistically indistinguishable from children in Washington State's most intensive mental health treatment programs. School problems, substance abuse, and antisocial behaviors were common in the sample, as were family histories of mental illness or substance abuse. Greatest service needs included family support groups, outpatient treatment, school-based treatment, and diagnostic services. These results underline the importance of structural changes to facilitate cross-system collaboration between mental health and protective services.

Service needs of severely disturbed children

BACKGROUND

As one piece of a statewide Children's Mental Health System Analysis conducted in Washington State, the specific service needs of severely emotionally disturbed children were investigated.

METHODS

The primary case-workers of 3398 children under the care of the state responded to a survey of the child's treatment history, social and clinical condition, and service needs. Service need data on the 2455 children in the sample who were classifiable as severely emotionally disturbed were examined using log linear analysis.

RESULTS

School- and home-based services were frequently reported needs of school-aged children. Adolescent children were reported to be in need of services which prepare them for adulthood. Services endorsed for female children tended to focus on assistance to family members, therapy, and protection, whereas services endorsed for male children focused on home removal, substance abuse treatment, and preparation for employment.

CONCLUSIONS

Severely emotionally disturbed children are in need of a variety of nontraditional mental health services. Significant differences in the needs of male versus female children, and of differently aged children, are present that have serious implications for service system development.

Double-blind assessment of stimulant medication for attention deficit disorder: a model for clinical application

A double-blind procedure is presented for assessing the response to stimulant medication among children with attention deficit disorder. Of 94 children treated with methylphenidate and placebo, 70 demonstrated a positive response to active medication. It is suggested that a double-blind investigation is an efficient means of securing meaningful treatment information, particularly in difficult family or clinical situations.

Double-blind administration of methylphenidate to mentally retarded children with attention deficit disorder; a preliminary study

Ten children with IQs ranging from 48 to 77 who were living at home and attending special education programs in public schools were involved in an outpatient, double-blind, active drug and placebo cross-over study using methylphenidate. These children were considered to have symptoms of the attention deficit disorder as well as being mentally retarded. Five of the 10 children responded positively to active medication as measured by improvement in the Conners' rating forms for parents and teachers. We concluded that retarded children with high activity levels and attention disorders are positively affected by stimulant medication but that careful and controlled observational and behavioral assessment is required on an individual basis.

The effect of long-term chronic marijuana use on neuropsychological functioning

Ten normal subjects who smoked marijuana daily for an average of 5 years and who denied other drug use were examined on a neuropsychological test battery. When compared with normal nonsmoking Ss, minimal differences were observed. It was concluded that long-term cannabis use does not cause a generalized decrement in adaptive abilities which might be related to cerebral impairments.