The AACAP has published over 30 Practice Parameters. The Parameters are published as Official Actions of the AACAP in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Links to the complete text of all published parameters are available below.
The AACAP Practice Parameters are designed to assist clinicians in providing high quality assessment and treatment for children and adolescents that is consistent with the best available scientific evidence and clinical consensus. The Practice Parameters describe generally accepted practices, but are not intended to define a standard of care, nor should they be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other legitimate methods of care directed at obtaining the desired results. The ultimate judgment regarding the care of a patient and family must be made by the clinician in light of all of the clinical evidence presented by the patient and family, the diagnostic and treatment options available, and available resources.
Before approval by the Council, each Parameter draft is reviewed several times by the members of the Work Group on Quality Issues, co-chaired by Heather Walter, M.D., M.P.H. and Oscar Bukstein, M.D., M.P.H. In addition, the drafts are reviewed by experts in the respective subject areas and by the AACAP general membership. For further information on practice parameter development, please click here.
In the interest of full disclosure, click here for conflict of interest information for all people, other than authors and chairs, named in the attribution section of practice parameters. This policy applies to parameters approved after September 2006.
The Work Group welcomes comments on the parameters and their applicability to clinical practice. In addition, members who would like to suggest topics for future parameters are welcome to comment. Direct comments or questions to Jennifer Medicus at jmedicus@aacap.org, or 202.966.7300, x137.
ADHD
Vol 46 Jul 2007 
Disclosure
Anxiety Disorders
Vol 46 Feb 2007
For some additional clinical resources, and information to help families, click here for the eAACAP Anxiety Disorders Resource Center.
Assessment of a Child and Adolescent
Vol 36 Oct 1997 Sup
Assessment of Infants and Toddlers
Vol 36 Oct 1997 Sup
Assessment of the Family
Vol 46 Jul 2007
Disclosure
Autism
Vol 38 Dec 1999 Sup
Bipolar
Vol 46 Jan 2007
ERRATUM: The “Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder,” which appears in the January 2007 issue of the Journal (J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 46: 107-125), includes an incorrect citation for I Hellander 2002 in the reference list. The correct reference is Hellander M (2002), Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation: Membership Survey. Data Presented at: Methodological Issues and Controversies in Clinical Trials with Child and Adolescent Patients with Bipolar Disorder, sponsored by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; June; Chantilly, VA. All references to Hellander, 2002 appearing in the text refer to the M. Hellander 2002 citation appearing here.
Child Custody Evaluation
Vol 36 Oct 1997 Sup
Community Systems of Care
Vol 46 Feb 2007
Conduct Disorders
Vol 36 Oct 1997 Sup
Depressive Disorders
Vol 46 Nov 2007
Disclosure
Electroconvulsive Therapy With Adolescents
Vol 43 Dec 2004
Enuresis, Children and Adolescents With
Vol 43 Dec 2004
Forensic Evaluation for Children/Adolescents Who May Have Been Sexually Abused
Vol 36 Oct 1997 Sup
Language/Learning Disorders
Vol 37 Oct 1998 Sup
Mental Retardation
Vol 38 Dec 1999 Sup
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Vol 37 Oct 1998 Sup
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Vol 46 Jan 2007
Physically Ill Children and Adolescents
Vol 48 Feb 2009
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
In Press
Disclosure
AACAP is pleased to offer Practice Parameters as soon as they are approved by the AACAP Council, but prior to their publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP). This article may be revised during the JAACAP copyediting, author query, and proof reading processes. Any final changes in the document will be made at the time of print publication and will be reflected in the final electronic version of the Practice Parameter. AACAP and JAACAP, and its respective employees, are not responsible or liable for the use of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or information contained in this iteration of this Practice Parameter.
Psychiatric Consultation to Schools
Vol 44 Oct 2005
Accompanying Tables
Prescribing Psychotropic Medication in Children
Vol 48 Sep 2009
Disclosure
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Vol 44 Nov 2005
Schizophrenia
Vol 40 Jul 2001 Sup
Seclusion and Restraint
Vol 41 Feb 2002 Sup
Sexually Abusive Children
Vol 38 Dec 1999 Sup
Stimulant Medications
Vol 41 Feb 2002 Sup
Substance Use (Revised)
Vol 44 Jun 2005
Suicidal Behavior
Vol 40 Jul 2001 Sup
Suicide Tables
Telepsychiatry
Vol 47 Dec 2008
Addendum: JoAnn Elizabeth Leavey, R.N., Ed.D., R. Psych. (Limited Register), served as an expert reviewer in the creation of the Parameter on Telepsychiatry.
Youth in Juvenile Detention and Correctional Facilities
Vol 44 Oct 2005
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