As the psychopharmacological treatment of children and adolescents continues to gather steam and controversy, Perrin's account of psychiatric medications is certainly welcome. He describes common activators, inhibitors and stabilizers, all explained in a clear voice-the way the medication works, indications for its use, potential side effects and red-light warnings, as well as approaches to monitoring and logging the use of medications. Parents, as their children's health advocates, must be fully engaged in the project, writes Perrin, as a child's doctors and caregivers can change a number of times during treatment. He provides a lucid and compact introduction to brain structure and function, which allows non-professionals to gain a sense of exactly what the medication is doing. Vital as psychotropic medicines can be, of greater importance is the supportive, empathetic, challenging and communicative environment created by those caring for a child with special emotional and behavioral needs, and Perrin suggests ways to ensure a secure and nourishing environment. He also reminds readers that there are basic needs children have beyond emotional support that don't always get the attention they deserve: a regular schedule, sufficient sleep, routine exercise and nutritious meals-all critical to a healthy infrastructure and all of which will exacerbate mental health issues if neglected. Perrin wants to make sure that children don't suffer such issues, and he does well here. - from Amzon