A teacher is requesting that the practitioner refer a six-year-old child to a psychiatrist to...

In the CFRP framework, assessment, planning, and outcomes prioritize family-driven and collaborative decision-making. When a teacher requests a psychiatric referral for a six-year-old to evaluate medication needs, the practitioner’s first course of action is to discuss this request with the family to ensure their involvement, understand their perspectives, and respect their authority in decision-making. The CFRP study guide states, “When external parties, such as teachers, request a psychiatric referral for a child, the practitioner’s first step is to discuss the request with the family to align with family-driven principles.” Directly referring the child (option A) bypasses family consent. Discussing with the school counselor (option C) or reviewing the school file (option D) may be subsequent steps but are not the priority.

CFRP Study Guide (Section on Assessment, Planning, and Outcomes): “The practitioner’s first action when a teacher requests a psychiatric referral is to discuss the request with the family, ensuring their involvement in decisions about the child’s care.”