Summary of the practice parameters for the psychiatric assessment of infants and toddlers (0-36 months). American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

This summary describes the psychiatric assessment of infants and toddlers (0-36 months) and supports the growth of infant and toddler psychiatry, a rapidly developing field. Infants and toddlers are brought to clinical attention because of concerns about emotional, behavioral, relational, or developmental difficulties. It is axiomatic that the infant or toddler must be understood evaluated and treated within the context of the family. A perspective that is developmental relational, and multidimensional and that borrows from the knowledge of multiple disciplines is essential. Collaborative efforts support the urgent need and incomparable opportunity to understand and to intervene early and preventively with young children and their families.