How to Utilize a School Psychologist

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What Is a School Psychologist?
Some parents may be unaware of how to use their child’s school psychologist. Since I am a school psychologist, I want to first dispel a common myth about us: That we are only in the schools to service children with special needs. We are available in schools to assist all children, parents, and school personnel in a variety of ways. The problem is, parents are not clear about our role in the schools leading to the underutilization of school psychology services in the general education population. To clarify the responsibilities of a school psychologist, these topic questions are important:

• What is the Field of School Psychology?
• What Is the Role of a School Psychologist?
• When to See Your School Psychologist?
• Where Can I Find the School Psychologist in My Child’s School?
• What Are the Next Steps After Consulting with a School Psychologist?

What Is the Field of School Psychology?
In May 2022, the American Psychological Association described the field of school psychology as a general practice of health service psychology, concerned with children, youth, families, and the schooling process. The association states, “School psychologists are prepared to intervene at the individual and system levels, develop, implement, and evaluate programs to promote positive learning environments for children and youth from diverse backgrounds, and ensure equal access to effective educational and psychological services that promote healthy development.”

What Is the Role of a School Psychologist?
School psychologists provide support for all children within a school and not just those with an individualized education plan. They are a part of special education teams and are useful for general education teams to address behavioral and learning concerns early in children. School psychologists play comprehensive roles in schools with psychological services to help all students successfully achieve academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.

School psychologists also work closely with special education teachers to develop individualized plans and monitor student progress. They are trained to identify, address, and provide help to school-aged children with special needs. To do this, school psychologists use assessment and educational testing data to determine if a child qualifies for special education services.

When to Utilize Your School Psychologist?

• Academic support: School psychologists can provide academic support to students who are experiencing difficulties in learning. They can assess and identify learning disabilities or challenges, develop appropriate strategies and interventions, and collaborate with teachers and parents to create an individualized plan to support the student's academic success.
• Behavioral and emotional support: School psychologists help students navigate behavioral and emotional challenges. They can use functional behavior analysis or a behavior intervention plan to understand the function or purpose of a student’s behavior and outline strategies and interventions to address challenging or problematic behaviors, which can be completed for both general and special education students.
• Individualized assessments and evaluations: School psychologists conduct assessments and evaluations to better understand a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns. This is done through cognitive, academic, and behavioral assessments to determine their areas of need.
• Crisis intervention and support: In a crisis or traumatic event within the school community, school psychologists play a critical role in providing immediate support to students and staff.
• Collaboration and consultation: School psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to a student's well-being including consultation and guidance to teachers on behavioral management techniques, academic interventions, and creating inclusive classrooms.
• Prevention and early intervention: School psychologists are involved in prevention and early intervention efforts within the school community. They promote positive mental health, implement social-emotional learning programs, and provide training and resources to teachers and staff on recognizing early signs of behavioral or emotional difficulties.

Where Can I Find the School Psychologist in My Child’s School?
School psychologists are found in local schools and school districts. Administrators in your child’s school can provide information on how to access their services. Many school districts have websites that provide information about their staff, including the school psychologist. You can always reach out to the counseling or student services offices at local schools to inquire about accessing the services of the school psychologist. Professional organizations, such as the National Association of School Psychologists, often have directories or referral services that can help you find qualified school psychologists in your area.

What Are the Next Steps After Consulting with a School Psychologist?
Keep in contact with the school psychologist, as needed, to discuss your child’s academic progress. Take the recommendations seriously and implement strategies at home. Maintain open communication with the school to ensure that the recommended strategies are being implemented consistently across different environments. Keep track of any changes or improvements that occur as a result of the services provided by the school psychologist’s recommendations and make modifications as needed.