Abnormal child psychology - Linda Wilmshurst

Abnormal Child Psychology: A Developmental Perspectiveis intended for undergraduate and Masters-level students enrolled in courses in Abnormal Child andAdolescent Psychology. Written from a developmental perspective, the book is organized around five prominent and recurring themes: the course of normal development proceeds in an orderly and predictable direction; maladaptive behaviors represent deviations from the normal path; maladaptive behavior is represented by a continuum of severity (symptoms, syndromes, disorders) based on the degree to which behaviors deviate from the norm; individual, interpersonal, contextual and cultural factors interact in a reciprocal way to influence normal development and abnormal deviations; theoretical input from diverse perspectives can guide our understanding of underlying processes that precipitate and maintain behaviors and the different developmental pathways that might result.

The text provides students with a learning model which incorporates three essential cornerstones, which are pivotal to understanding child and adolescent psychopathology: the K3 paradigm that consists of knowledge of developmental expectations, knowledge of the sources of influence, and knowledge of the theoretical models.Each chapter opens with a case illustration to highlight the themes of the material that follows. The chapters conclude with a Summary Review, Glossary of New Terms and a Set of Review Questions.

Linda Wilmshurst, Ph.D., ABPP, is professor of Child and Adolescent Psychology at Elon University. Previously she has held academic positions in the psychology departments at Texas Women's University, University of Houston, Victoria and the University of Western Ontario. Linda is a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, and is a licensed clinical and school psychologist.

"Abnormal child psychology can be quite confusing, even inchoate, for the newcomer. Yet, Wilmshurst presents introductions to the various facets of the field that are clear and concise. Instructors will find this a useful volume offering many issues for discussion, while students will find it a pleasant read and can easily go beyond the material presented by consulting the abundant references provided."

-Byron P. Rourke, PhD, LLD, C Psych, ABPP-CN, FRSC, University of Windsor, Yale University School of Medicine

"The textbook addresses a need in the area of child psychopathology. Its focus on the real world application of diagnostic criteria separates it from other texts in the field. This is a valuable textbook for any student intending to go into an applied psychological field that deals with children and families."

-Dan Florell, PhD, NCSP, assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University

"In this concise and engaging work, Wilmshurst provides a thorough review of psychopathological disorders of childhood and adolescence. It is required reading for anyone (e.g. future clinical or school practitioners) interested in understanding abnormal child psychology within a developmental perspective."

- Alan W. Brue, PhD, NCSP, faculty member with Capella University, practicing school psychologist and co-author of A Parent's Guide to Special Education