Aacap Official ActionPractice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Schizophrenia

a neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with deficits in cognition, affect, and social functioning. Onset of the illness occurs rarely before the age of 13 years, but then increases steadily during adolescence. Accurate diagnosis and treatment require familiarity with the clinical presentation, phenomenology, and course of the disorder. Diagnostic assessment must also incorporate an understanding of the youth's developmental, social, educational, and psychological needs. Treatment strategies should focus on alleviating symptoms, reducing long-term morbidity, and preventing relapse. Associated comorbid disorders and/or biopsychosocial stressors may also need to be addressed. Intervention strategies also must be consistent with the developmental, social, and cultural aspects of the youth and his or her family. This summary provides an overview of the assessment and treatment recommendations contained in the Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Schizophrenia. This summary includes many of the most important points and recommendations that are in these practice guidelines. However, the treatment and assessment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia requires the consideration of many important factors that cannot be conveyed fully in a summary, and the reader is encouraged to review the entire document. Each recommendation in the executive summary is identified as falling into one of the following categories of endorsement, indicated by an abbreviation in brackets following the statement. These categories indicate the degree of importance or certainty of each recommendation. " Minimal Standards " [MS] are recommendations that are based on substantial empirical evidence (such as well-controlled, double-blind trials) or overwhelming clinical consensus or legal and regulatory requirements. Minimal standards are expected to apply more than 95% of the time, i.e., in almost all cases. When the practitioner does not follow this standard in a particular case, the medical record should indicate the reason. " Clinical Guidelines " [CG] are recommendations that are based on empirical evidence (such as open trials, case studies) and/or strong clinical consensus. Clinical guidelines apply approximately 75% of the time. These practices should always be considered by the clinician, but there are exceptions to their application. " Options " [OP] are practices that are acceptable but not required. There may be insufficient empirical evidence to support recommending these practices as minimal standards or clinical guidelines. In some cases they may be indicated, but in other cases they should be avoided. If possible, the practice parameters will explain the pros and cons of these options. " Not …