¿What is an Educational Psychologist?

Abridged document from the NASP

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/translations/whatis_sp.pdf

Educational Psychologists help children and young people to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home and school. They provide the following services:

Consultation

• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavioural problems.

• Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behaviour.

• Strengthen relationships between teachers and parents.

Assessment

• Assess eligibility for special services.
• Assess academic skills and learning aptitudes.
• Determine social-emotional development and mental health status.

Intervention

• Work with children and their families to help resolve adjustment and learning problems.
• Provide training in social skills and anger management.
• Help families and schools manage crises.

Prevention

• Design programmes for children at risk of failing in school.
• Promote tolerance and understanding of diversity within the school community.
• Develop programmes to make schools safer and more effective learning environments.

Research / Planning

• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavioural management programmes.

• Identify and implement programmes and strategies to improve schools.

• Use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions.

NEST members who offer this approach: