This book is a compilation of chapters authored principally by the same faculty who have been teaching their respective topics which are covered in the IACAM Academy Course. However, while putting together the book chapters, it was soon realized by us that we needed to add a few more experts and a few more topics for completeness in order to prevent this book from looking as akin to a “half-baked dish”. Hence, the same was done leading on to the development of a total of five sections and 34 chapters. We are indebted to all the authors not only from the IACAM Academy, but also those who have agreed to be part of this project due to their passion and expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry, for their continued support and commitment and contributing to this book. The book has been conceptualized and divided into five broad sections, namely, Normal Development and Neurodevelopmental Conditions; Externalizing Disorders, Addictions, Mood, and Psychotic Disorders; Internalizing Disorders, Stress, and Trauma; Management and Aftercare; and Special Circumstances. The endeavor has been to prepare a comprehensive resource book, which can serve as a clinical guide for general psychiatrists, pediatricians, child psychologists, or other CAMH professionals, in their routine clinical practice. The content is focused more on interventions and treatment guidelines rather than around theoretical discussion. Child development and CAMH is majorly ethnocentric. Effort is made to include Indian experience and Indian solutions for Indian patients in a practical skill-oriented guidance made out in a simple format and language. The brief matter written thereof should help in providing the reader a snapshot of the chapters solicited in order to gain some understanding about the scope, quality, and depth of the book: There are chapters on ethics, laws, disability assessment, and certification as applicable to children, and care of children living under special circumstances, with the objective to sensitize the readers about special precautions and considerations to be kept in mind. Chapters on pharmacotherapy elaborate the principles of use, indications, contraindications, dosages, special precautions, and side effects of drugs commonly prescribed and available in India. A series of chapters on various psychological interventions and psychotherapies recommended and useful for treating children and adolescents suffering from mental disorders have been included. Chapters on speech and language pathologies and related interventions as well as assessment and management of specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and intellectual disabilities provide an exhaustive account of common neurodevelopmental conditions for which interventions encompass complex psychosocial, family, and developmental remediation and rehabilitation services which are mostly unavailable to a large majority in the country.
Savita Malhotra MD PhD
Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Former Dean and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Nitin Gupta MBBS MD
Consultant Psychiatrist and Therapist, Gupta Mind Healing and Counselling Centre, Chandigarh, India
Nidhi Chauhan MD (Psychiatry) DM (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Faculty of Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
