Increasingly, seriously handicapped students are returning to the schools and the use of psychotropic medications is on the rise with these and other emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. In an effort to improve the dialogue and cooperation within the physician/educator terms an overview of the history, philosophy, current practices and a look at the future of neurochemical treatments of children with emotional and behavioral problems, is presented. A separate review of available literature concerning medication effects on cognitive functioning and test results is presented. Psycho-pharmacology is and can be a useful treatment; however, the available supporting literature that has already been developed with adults is still largely missing with children and adolescents. Guidelines for the treatment team members to help assure proper prescribing and monitoring of medications to achieve maximum therapeutic effect with minimal side-effects are reviewed.
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