Selectivity of treatment modalities

Consensus as to diagnostic definitions and criteria in Child Psychiatry is recent. Traditional "treatment" has been direct psychotherapy of child patient and mother. Despite growing precision of etiologic concepts and expansion of therapeutic approaches, many centres continue to define therapy in terms of their available techniques rather than the actual needs of the child. A brief review and definition of the major clinical syndromes is given. A glossary of the therapeutic modalities and their description is provided. Selection of treatment interventions is discussed in terms of diagnosis, severity, strengths of child patient, and the environmental modifications possible. Case illustrations are given. Periodic reassessment is essential to reselect therapeutic goals and determine choice as well as simultaneity versus sequentiality of therapeutic interventions.