Use of medications that target specific behaviors affecting learning and social development has been the most extensively studied form of intervention available to children with behavioral and learning problems. Drawing from extensive research literature spanning the past 30 years, this guide for psychologists and other professionals who work with children, families, and schools provides a comprehensive review of pediatric and adolescent psychopharmacology. The guide provides knowledge of major classes of drugs, pharmacokinetics, specific indications for medication, potential benefits, and drug side effects. The guide includes a discussion of standardized behavior scales used in clinic practice as well as many of the psychopharmacological studies in the medical literature. Following an overview (chapter 1) noting the increased prevalence of medication and implications of monitoring safety and efficacy of such medications in the school setting, the guide's chapters are: (2) "Basic Principles of Pharmacology," including dependence, addiction, mechanisms of drug action, and adverse side effects; (3) "Short-Term Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Psychotropic Medications," including stimulants, antipsychotics, and antidepressants; (4) "Long-Term Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Psychotropic Medications," based on the same drug classes as the preceding chapter; (5) "Psychopharmacological Approaches to Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Disorders," including developmental issues relevant to prescribing such drugs to pediatric populations; (6) "Assessment and Monitoring of Children Receiving Psychotropic Medications," including assessment of adverse physical effects, and assessment of behavior, emotion, and cognition; (7) "Acceptability and Satisfaction Issues," including consumer attitudes and satisfaction, ethical issues, and legal issues and informed consent; and (8) "Issues Related to Training and Research," including the issue of prescribing privileges for psychologists, and the curriculum of the American Psychological Association as the most rigorous and inclusive training path for psychopharmacology. Each chapter includes a "conclusions" section. (Contains 533 references.) (HTH)