SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR SPEAKING WITH THE PSYCHIATRIST
Background
- How long has psychiatrist been treating the child?
- How often has he/she seen child?
- The child’s overall functioning, including cognitive ability and intellectual functioning
- The behavioral and disciplinary issues of the child and whether they are specific to any particular situations
- Has psychiatrist spoken with child about the proposed treatment plan?
- Whether child expressed any preference regarding treatment
- Maturity of child to make an informed decision
- Are there any medical conditions or developmental issues the child has that may complicate or impact on the questions and issues before the court?
Diagnosis
- What is child’s diagnosis(ses)?
- What are the associated characteristics, signs, and symptoms?
- How did psychiatrist arrive at diagnosis?
- Has psychiatrist spoken with prior treating psychiatrist or therapist if any?
- Does psychiatrist have first hand knowledge of symptoms and behaviors?
- Other mental health disorders of the child
Treatment History
- What is the child’s current treatment plan including any emergency or p.r.n. (as needed) medications, including benefits and side effects?
- What other medications and treatments have been tried, including benefits and side effects?
Proposed Treatment Plan
- Medications to be used
- dosage range
- expected benefits (including behaviors or issues the medication will address)
- likelihood of achieving expected benefits
- is medication FDA approved?
- what type of monitoring is required (i.e., AIMS or liver tests)
- time periods before expected benefits
- contingent plans if expected benefits are not achieved
- potential side effects, including severity and probability of occurring and recommended treatment to manage side effects
- are there are other medical conditions affected by the medication
- how does the medication interact with other drugs or alcohol
- is there potential for abuse or dependency
- Other recommended treatments
- individual psychotherapy
- groups therapy
- behavior management
- anger management
- Alternative medications and why this particular medication is recommended over others
- Alternative treatments (such as therapy, behavior management, biofeedback, acupuncture, herbal or nutritional treatment), their benefits and risks
- Urgency of treatment – whether the child is at risk if there are delays in treatment