Clinical and Educational Child Psychology: An Ecological–Transactional Approach to Understanding Child Problems and Interventions

Clinical and Educational Child Psychology: An Ecological–Transactional Approach to Understanding Child Problems and Interventions examines developmental patterns in children aged 3 to 18 and the challenges that influence their developmental trajectory. Adopting a transactional ecological perspective, Linda Wilmshurst explores the reasons why some children exposed to a variety of stressors may become vulnerable to a host of clinical, educational, and mental health problems. Initial chapters explore theoretical models and developmental milestones from early childhood through adolescence. Coverage also includes a variety of contemporary issues in the psychopathology of children and adolescents, with discussion of neurodevelopmental and disruptive behavior disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, attention and learning disorders, later onset disorders such as substance abuse and eating disorders, and issues of maltreatment that can result in trauma disorders. Through an innovative presentation that combines clinical and educational psychological approaches, Clinical and Educational Child Psychology offers unique insights into our understanding of behavioral issues during the transition from childhood to adolescence. 

Part One The Foundations 1 Child and Adolescent Development: Normal and Atypical Variations 3 2 Theoretical Models 23 3 Developmental Milestones: Early and Middle Childhood 54 4 Developmental Milestones: Adolescence 84 5 Development from a Clinical and Educational Perspective 106 Part Two Child and Adolescent Problems and Disorders 6 Adjustment Problems and Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence 135 7 Early Onset Problems: Preschool and Primary School 162 8 Problems of Learning and Attention 192 9 Externalizing Problems and Disruptive Behavior Disorders 219 10 Internalizing Problems and Anxiety, Mood, and Somatic Disorders 242 11 Later Onset Problems: Eating Disorders and Substance Use/Abuse 276 12 Child Maltreatment and Self–Injurious Behaviors 301 13 Trauma and Trauma Disorders 328 Index 354

Linda Wilmshurst is an Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Elon University, North Carolina. She has authored several books and research papers on child and adolescent disorders. She has also practiced in the field as a clinical psychologist and educational (school) psychologist.