Chronic Health-Related Disorders in Children


Buy It Now!

Multidisciplinary approach will appeal to readers

“Chronic Health-Related Disorders in Children: Collaborative Medical and Psychoeducational Interventions”
Edited by LeAdelle Phelps
American Psychological Association
Washington, D.C. 2006

By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA

Approximately one million children in the United States have a chronic illness that affects their daily functioning. Solving this major health problem demands the attention of many professionals including psychologists. This book examines psychosocial and educational factors associated with pediatric health concerns.

Psychologist LeAdelle Phelps edited the book, comprised of two chapters about collaborative practices and 14 chapters that address specific child disorders. The stated intent of the book is to provide a "user friendly" format so that health care practitioners and school-based professionals can improve the long-term functioning of children and adolescents afflicted with chronic health problems.

The first two chapters in the book introduce various "systems" level topics integral to comprehensive treatment. For example, the authors consider family, school, community and primary care influences for promoting children's health and delivering multidisciplinary supports. This orientation is echoed in virtually every chapter.

The chapters dealing with specific health problems cover cancer, neurological impairments, endocrine disorders, sex chromosome abnormalities and other diseases. Each chapter has a similar format, starting with an overview of the problem, followed by outcomes and concluding with medical and psychoeducational implications. These are essentially "stand alone" chapters, written concisely and full of useful information.

There is a nice balance within the chapters between psychological and medical perspectives. To illustrate, on the topic of epilepsy and seizures, the authors look at social support strategies as well as medication management, surgery and nutritional approaches. It is this multidisciplinary emphasis that will appeal to most mental health practitioners.

As with any edited volume, there is the question of chapter selection. This book includes chapters on language related disorders and pervasive developmental disorders, perhaps unusual choices on the topic of health-related problems. Also, each chapter in the book might have benefited by having an illustrative case study that imparts the process of diagnosis, treatment and extended care. These concerns however do not detract from an otherwise solid presentation.

The book would be an ideal choice for university coursework in the areas of health psychology and pediatric behavioral medicine. It offers "nuts and bolts" information about child illnesses, stated accurately and with an emphasis on what you need to know. The reference section of each chapter also will enable readers to pursue further inquiry about a particular medical condition. It is a valuable contribution to the child psychology and behavioral health profession.

James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA, is senior vice president, applied research, clinical training and peer review at the May Institute in Norwood, Mass.