Mental health assessment of infants in foster care.
Infants placed in foster care are at high risk for emotional and behavioral problems. Assessment of their mental health must account for their often-adverse life experiences prior to placement and the involvement of multiple systems that shape their lives in lieu of parents' authority. This article presents practice guidelines for infant mental health evaluations with consideration of legal requirements and the unique issues conferred by foster care.
Silver
Judith
J
Starting Young Program, Department of Psychology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Silverj@email.chop.edu
Dicker
Sheryl
S
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D019090:Case Management; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy