School Psychologists & Parents of Children with Special NeedsPresented by KPS4Parents, Inc.Copyright 2009, KPS4Parents, Inc.

Initial “Housekeeping”This presentation is for informational purposes only.No continuing education credits are being offered for today’s program.The information presented herein is based on the experiences and opinions of professional special education lay advocates and is not meant to be construed as formal legal advice.If you require formal legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney.

Common Parent MisperceptionsSchool Psychologist vs. Licensed PsychologistMost parents take the title “school psychologist” to mean a licensed psychologist working in the public schoolsMost parents do not understand the distinctions between:“School Psychologist” and “Licensed Educational Psychologist”“School Psychologist” and “Clinical Psychologist”“Clinical Psychologist” and “Licensed Educational Psychologist”

Using the Term “Psychologist”California Business & Professions Code § 2903. No person may engage in the practice of psychology, or represent himself or herself to be a psychologist, without a license granted under this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The practice of psychology is defined as rendering or offering to render for a fee to individuals, groups, organizations or the public any psychological service involving the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures of understanding, predicting, and influencing behavior, such as the principles pertaining to learning, perception, motivation, emotions, and interpersonal relationships; and the methods and procedures of interviewing, counseling, psychotherapy, behavior modification, and hypnosis; and of constructing, administering, and interpreting tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions, and motivations. The application of these principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to: diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of psychological problems and emotional and mental disorders of individuals and groups.

Using the Term “Psychologist”California Business & Professions Code § 2909. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting or preventing activities of a psychological nature or the use of the official title of the position for which they were employed on the part of the following persons, provided those persons are performing those activities as part of the duties for which they were employed, are performing those activities solely within the confines of or under the jurisdiction of the organization in which they are employed and do not offer to render or render psychological services as defined in Section 2903 to the public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, over and above the salary they receive for the performance of their official duties with the organization in which they are employed: (a) Persons who hold a valid and current credential as a school psychologist issued by the California Department of Education.

Using the Term “Psychologist”Some school psychologists who only have an advanced degree and a Clear Pupil Personnel credential encourage parents to think they are licensed psychologistsMost school psychologists just never think to explain to parents the distinctions between the different labels and the limits imposed on them within the special education context

Using the Term “Learning Disability”Most parents do not understand the distinction between a DSM diagnosis of a learning disability and special education eligibility under 5 CCR § 3030(j) as SLDMost parents do not understand that a special education eligibility determination of SLD does not involve an actual diagnosis of a specific learning disability

Autism vs. “Autistic-Like Behaviors”Most parents do not understand the distinction between a diagnosis of autism and the special education eligibility criteria of 5 CCR § 3030(g) for autistic-like behaviorsMany children with autism will already have a medical diagnosis, but not all of them, making “child-find” critically important

ED vs. DSM DiagnosesMost parents do not understand that a special education assessment exploring possible eligibility under 5 CCR § 3030(i) does not require a clinical diagnosis of a mental or emotional health disorderMany students being treated privately for mental and emotional health issues will come to the special education process with pre-existing diagnoses

Common MisconceptionsMany parents do not understand that just because their child has a disability, that doesn’t automatically qualify their child for special educationMany LEA personnel do not understand that poor grades are not the only indicator of a negative educational impact caused by a handicapping condition

Working Successfully with Parents Requires …TactHonestyIntegrityConsistencyProgram FidelityThoroughnessProcedural ComplianceProfessionalism

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