Legal Issues in Educating Anxious and Depressed Children

Abstract

Apart from the family, school arguably is the most influential aspect of a child’s life, and success or failure can have a significant effect on long-term social and psychological outcomes. In Chap. 12, school-based interventions were discussed within a problem-solving and tier intervention approach, which work well for the majority of students. When problems associated with anxiety and depression interfere with school performance to a significant degree, special attention and interventions may be necessary. Although many of the assessment and intervention methods discussed in earlier chapters could be used in the schools, often schools are not designed, equipped, or staffed to provide “traditional” therapeutic services. Rather, the goals of public schools include educating children academically and socially and help those who need extra assistance to make progress despite their apparent disabilities. In situations where special education services are needed to address problems associated with anxiety and depression, there are some laws and procedures that may apply.