The document discusses the need for school psychology in India. It outlines many issues faced by Indian children today, such as parent-child misunderstandings, school pressures, lack of guidance, unrecognized mental health disorders, and more. These issues can lead to outcomes like depression, illegal sex, violence, and suicide. The document argues that school psychologists are needed to assess students, consult with teachers and parents, implement prevention programs, provide interventions, educate others, and provide mental health care. Their goal is to promote high achievement, positive social skills, healthy relationships, tolerance, and overall well-being for students.

1. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY - An Indian perspective - Dr. B. Imtiyaaz

2. Objective of the Presentation – is to answer What is school psychology and who is a school psychologist? Why India needs it? Modus operandi of school psychology in India?

3. Our Honorable President Respected Abdul Kalam in his speech at New Delhi on 20/01/2005 quoted “ The biggest problem Indian youth faced, I felt, was a lack of clarity of vision, a lack of direction. It was then that I decided to write about the circumstances and people who made me what I am today; the idea was not merely to pay tribute of some individuals or highlight certain aspects of my life. What I wanted to say was that no one, however poor, unprivileged or small need feel disheartened about life."

4. Are not these lines depicting the importance of School Psychology? Mental Health is how people think, feel, and act as they face life's situations. It affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Mental health influences the way individuals look at themselves, their lives, and others in their lives. Like adults, children and adolescents do have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. When untreated, mental health disorders lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. School psychology is just a spectrum, providing guidance to these children.

5. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY ? A branch of psychology which concentrates on the mental, emotional , social, physical and spiritual development of the child in relation to the school age and its living atmosphere.

6. School Psychology understands that all children learn when given Adequate supports and resources Recognition of their individual needs Connection to and trust in adults Opportunities to achieve Acceptance and encouragement Cooperation between school and home

7. School Psychologists link mental health to learning and behavior to promote: High academic achievement Positive social skills and behavior Healthy relationships and connectedness Tolerance and respect for others Competence, self-esteem, and resiliency Emotional & spiritual development

8. Why Children Need School Psychologists Learning difficulties Behavior concerns Attention problems Problems at home or with peers Fears about war, violence, terrorism Depression and other mental health issues Lack of guidance regarding life management

9. School Psychologist?

10. A graduate or a postgraduate in psychology with these qualities Sound knowledge in developmental psychology (child & adolescence) Expertise in Psychotherapy, CBT, Counseling Techniques & Psychological Testing Knowledge in Educational Psychology Trained in handling gifted children Awareness about different school curriculums and their expectations

11. The qualities have to be complemented with Emptied Mind without any prejudice about children Instant Rapport Establishment & Communication strength to sustain the rapport for a long time Updated information about global happenings Patience to listen & Willingness to help

12. What Do School Psychologists Do? Assessment Consultation Prevention Intervention Education Research and program development Mental health care

13. Assessment School psychologists work with children, parents and staff to help determine a child’s: Academic skills Learning aptitudes and styles Personality and emotional development Social skills and behavior issues Learning environments, school climate Special education eligibility

14. Consultation Help teachers, parents, and administrators understand child development and learning Provide positive alternatives for helping children with learning and behavior problems Strengthen working relationships among educators, parents, and society

15. Prevention Implement programs to build positive connections between students and adults Identify potential learning difficulties early Design programs for children at risk Help adults to address problem behavior(s) Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity Create safe, supportive learning environments

16. Intervention Work face-to-face with children and teachers Develop individualized solutions for learning and adjustment Plan and implement crisis response Provide Counseling Social skills training Behavior management solutions

17. Education Train teachers and parents in: Teaching and learning strategies Parenting techniques Classroom management techniques Working with exceptional students Strategies to address substance abuse and risky behaviors Crisis prevention and response Children management

18. Research and Program Development Recommend and implement evidence-based programs and strategies Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior Evaluate effectiveness of programs and interventions Contribute to school-wide reform and restructuring

19. Mental Health Care Deliver school-linked mental health services Coordinate with teachers, parents, and school management in bettering mental health of the children Partner with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments

20. Why Indian schools need a school psychologist?

21. The following slides will let you know how Indian children are badly managed in the time of cultural transition and what they are up to? All those points listed here are coming out of my 4 years experience in all types schools and every point has got its own evidence in the school counseling diary.

22. Issues faced by Today’s Children Parent Child Misunderstanding School demands and frustrations Changes in their bodies - Peer Pressure Lack of Guidance, Support & Encouragement Chronic illness or severe problems in the family Family Pressure, Social Pressure & School Pressure Feelings of sadness or loss and extremes of emotions

23. Unrecognized Mental, Emotional, & Behavior Disorders Negative thoughts and feelings about themselves Living in a sexually potent environment Taking on too many activities Having too high expectations Mass media and its influence Love & Sexual Problems Relationship Break ups Physical Disabilities

24. The Outcome – The Outcry Depression catches up Illegal sex and love affairs Cultural and adapting problems Violent Behavior and adamancy Behavioral Problems catch up the child Attention Deficit disorders sometimes anxiety Attention turns towards violence & sex, or love

25. Suicide seems to be the remedy for all worries Concentration gets affected in a sexually potent environment In trying to adapt to the changing fashion and culture, they loose their characters Child gets to know everything from pin to plane, but lacks guidance on how, when and where to use it or what to do with that. Lack of Personality development, social learning and behavior patterns – they do what they think and alter their thoughts when get affected, if not adverse reactions start to embrace.

26. Common Issues at Schools Discouraging teachers teachers being partial to students Masters using abusive languages to girls Boring Classes leading to lack of interests Not listening to the student issues

27. Speaking about the past and hurting students Making fun which affects emotions Beating / scolding Children Speaking about student family Teasing Making Petty things in to a bigger one Discussing student personal issues with other co teachers

28. Common Issues at home Discouraging parents Unwanted tuitions Comparison Lack of communication Family breakup Parents behavior Single Child- loneliness Anger about elder/younger brother/sister Sexual harassments by father / brother

29. These are just few out of a hell – many of these issues may not be felt that much important to us – but for a child a problem is a problem and when it lacks guidance, even a petty problem looks like a giant for the child and here comes the School psychologist for rescue…

30. The Need for a School psychologist School psychologist works to find the best solution for each Child & situation & use different strategies to address child needs & to improve child’s mental health. Works with children individually & in groups. Organize programs to train teachers & parents regarding effective teaching & learning strategies, effective techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, abuse of drugs and other substances, and preventing and managing crises School psychologist understands that all children learn when given adequate supports & resources, recognition of their individual needs, trusting them, acceptance & encouragement. School psychologist link mental health to learning & behavior to promote High academic achievement, Positive social skills & behavior, Healthy relationships & connectedness, Tolerance & respect for others, Competence, self-esteem, resiliency & all together a peaceful holistic life.

31. School psychologist Works with children, parents and staff to help determine and improve a child’s: Academic skills Learning aptitudes and styles Social skills and behavior issues Personality and emotional development Identify potential learning difficulties early Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity Create safe, supportive learning environments Work face-to-face with children and families Provide Social skills training & Behavior management Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior Deliver school-linked mental health services Intervention of Clinical Psychology, wherever needed The main objective of School psychologist is making the child’s life better. He/ she teaches social learning skills & develops the personality with an ultimate aim to enhance the educational & psycho-social development of children.

32. In the process of achieving this Main Objective, this School psychologist will achieve some ancillary objectives like…. Improving Academics – Improving Memory, Concentration, Intelligence, Observation, Learning Abilities, etc., Improving Social Relationships – Making the child understand parental relationships, peer relationships, behavior patterns etc., Understanding the real vision of life - Making the child plan life by learning what, when and where to do? Mechanism, sex, love, etc.,

33. Improving Academic Performance of the child Memory level Concentration Learning Ability Organization skills Time management Aptitude, Attitude, Interest etc.,

34. Example – Improving Academics The academic excellence of every child is depended on how well they observe, concentrate, memorize, organize, and understand. External factors like TV, Internet, Fighting Parents, peers, school environment, unhealthy neighbors etc affect the Child. The child's behavior tends to change due to these external factors, the child looses concentration, her interest moves to areas which give her instant happiness and pleasure, and in turn academics fail. Improving academics of the Child can be done by making the child practice learning techniques like MURDR Technique Mind Mapping Acronym Hints Making etc.,

35. Developing Social Relationship Understandings Behavioral Problems Bullying & Cheating Conduct Disorder Aggressive Behavior Shy, Rejected or Neglected Children without Friends Children Who Won't Go to School Disobedience or Self-Injury Bedwetting, Sleeping & Eating Problems Socialization Parental & Peer Relationship understanding Emotional & Communication Problem

36. Example – Modifying Behavior Pattern Most of the children in the age group of 10- 16 show lot of abnormal Behaviors such as violent behavior, aggressive, moody, irresponsibility, delinquent behaviors (such as truancy or running away), uncooperative, negativistic, irritable, and annoying behaviors toward parents, peers, teachers, and other authority figures, violating the rights of others (such as theft), and/or physical aggression toward others etc., These behaviors Can be modified with the help of Behavior therapy Hypnotherapy Child Centered Counselling Cognitive Therapy etc.,

37. Creating a Vision towards Future Life Personality Scheduling Life Character Education Sex, love & romance Planning tasks ahead & Decision Making What, when and where to do? Mechanism

38. Example – Love Problems Children with excellent grade and personality more often tumble in deciding their education, life style and selecting peers. Knowingly or unknowingly they get attracted towards sex and love, they tend to experiment these at the earliest and that leads to emotional problems, unwanted depression and mood swings. Finally they get diverted towards these temporary happiness and they loose their academics and personality. We have seen masturbation, oral sex problems, petting problems being common in schools. Theaters and parks have become undisturbed shelters for this crime. These Love and Sexual Problems are treated individually using Child Centered Counselling Psychotherapy

39. Tools Used in Psychological Education Psychological Education adopts various techniques from Psychological therapies in order to modify the approach of the Child and bring back to the real way of thinking and living. The tools used while working with the children are Classroom Activities Guidance Classes with PPT Stories, Jokes & IQ tests Past & Current world affairs Problem related Counselling Alpha Stage Hypnotism Hypnotic Techniques Psychotherapy Mental Exercises Mind Mastering Techniques Psychometric tests Innovative Developmental Techniques Autobiography & Biographies of great Leaders etc.,

40. Case Study - I A 9 th standard boy has been severely disturbed/ irritated by his maid. His parents are living in Abu Dhabi and he is living with his grandma and this maid. He was reporting this disturbance as a reason for his failure in studies. This case came through his teacher and a personal counseling session with him revealed that he was caught by her while masturbating and from then the fear and guilty conscious in him creeps out as anger whenever he sees her. After two or three sittings of Child Centered Counselling and by applying cognitive therapy his guilty conscious and fear has been almost gone from him and he is now able to live free without any Mental Health Issues.

41. Case Study - II Slow learners are so called dead heads. A group of 8 dead heads were given to me by the school as a test and challenge to my psychological education. Most of them have got failed in at least six subjects. A session with them revealed that most of them learn but the way they learn is not appropriate. Individual study plans and techniques were formed and I made them practice those techniques. Constant care , attention and encouragement were provided. In the third mid term test 3 of them cleared in all and others passed in maximum subjects.

42. Modus operandi of School Psychology in India In India, the school psychologist works in three ways Guidance Classes / Group Counseling Individual Counselling Sessions Awareness program for Parents & teachers

43. School psychologist will be visiting the school weekly once or twice, as the job does not demand full time psychologists A school day will be braked in to two halves – First half for guidance classes and second half for individual counseling.

44. Group Counseling or Guidance Class Each class will be invited to attend a power point presentation on any selected topic. The topic will be thoroughly discussed and the interaction of the class will be given importance. The class may sound like an entertainment class but at the end, each one will be taking some points to change & develop within themselves.

45. Guidance class topics The topics of guidance classes will be decided based on their age. The topics are like First Aid Positive Attitude Inferiority Complex Improving Memory Anger Management Exam Management Learning Techniques Personality Development Understanding Adolescence Peer & relationship management Self Image & Self Development Managing Life situations etc.,

46. Individual Counseling During group classes, students will encouraged to come for individual counseling. The children issues will be counseled one by one with ‘on their shoes approach”. If needed will be asked to visit again for a review.

47. Individual Counseling Issues Excessive conflict Poor Communication skill Attention Deficit Disorder Anger Possessiveness Peer issues Relationship mgt Teacher issues Parent misbehavior Love & Infatuation issues Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 School Avoidance Fearfulness Social Withdrawal Low degree Depression Low self Esteem Anxiety Frustration Lack of self Confidence Poor academic Performance Cries easily Bedwetting Nail Biting Gets angry Hyper Active Drug Alcohol smoking Acute Depression Suicidal Tendency Dyslexia /LD Physical abuse Sex affairs

48. Awareness Programs Awareness programs for teachers and parents will be conducted individually once in three months time. Both he target group will be educated about do’s and don'ts, with additional information about improving their relationship with the children. Teachers will be mentored when there is a need for development on their part

49. Proven Results & Outcomes With the help of school psychologist, each and every child is feeling better In exhibiting academic excellence In being social & understanding relationships In making life comfortable & worthy In scheduling future life tasks In using the information and knowledge they have observed and observing from the real world In knowing what to do? When, where and how to do? In leading life with positive thoughts In deciding about love. Friendship, sex and romance With improved memory, concentration, interest, and learning abilities As holistic child with talent to manage & utilize its own resources in the way it should be…

50. QUESTIONS? do email me at [email_address] thanks for your patience humbly imtiyaaz. B www.drimtiyaaz.com