Adopting a practical approach, this book gives a comprehensive account of psychiatric disorders in childhood, and psychological development. It discusses specific issues which include: child abuse, conduct disorders, emotional disorders and rarer psychiatric disorders. Recent research has shown that there has been a steady increase in psychiatric disorder amongst children and young people - particularly in disorders such as attempted suicide, depression, delinquency, anorexia nervosa and alcoholism. Despite this alarming trend, the author maintains that the area of children's emotional needs tends to be a neglected area in education. She states that teachers can have an important and protective influence on children's emotional development. This book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to enable teachers to recognise and evaluate their students' emotional needs.