The New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) is the statewide professional organization representing school psychologists who serve children and youth throughout New York State. School psychologists help school teams support students’ academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs, and often work directly with families and medical providers.
What this letter argues
- NYASP supports the passage of A9659A and S10208A, which it says would ensure that all children in New York have access to the care they need to recover and thrive.
- PANS and PANDAS can cause sudden and significant changes in a student’s psychological, behavioral, emotional and educational functioning.
- School psychologists are well positioned to help school teams tell acute PANS/PANDAS changes apart from a student’s baseline and previously identified needs.
- Symptoms can include obsessive-compulsive symptoms, tics, restricted eating, severe anxiety, regressions and marked deterioration in school functioning, often in a relapsing-remitting course.
- School psychologists help secure supports through Section 504 Plans, IEPs and Individualized Health Plans, and serve as a liaison between families, educators and medical providers.
The letter in full
Submitted by the New York Association of School Psychologists as a Memorandum in Support. Listed contacts: John Kelly and Pamela Madeiros, Esq. Published exactly as submitted.
Memorandum in Support
A.9659A (Cashman) / S10208A (Harckham)
The New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) is the statewide professional organization representing school psychologists who serve children and youth throughout New York State. School psychologists are uniquely trained in learning, human development, mental health, and educational functioning, and play an essential role in supporting students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Students experiencing Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) may experience sudden and significant changes in psychological, behavioral, emotional, and educational functioning. School psychologists are well positioned to help school teams distinguish acute changes associated with these medical conditions from a student’s baseline functioning and previously identified psychiatric, developmental, or educational needs.
PANS and PANDAS are characterized by the abrupt onset of significant neuropsychiatric symptoms, which may include obsessive-compulsive symptoms, motor or vocal tics, restricting eating, severe anxiety, emotional liability, depression, irritability, aggression, developmental regressions, and marked deterioration in school functioning. Symptoms may follow a relapsing-remitting course, with periods of acute exacerbation or flares, followed by periods of improvement.
School psychologists also assist schools and families in identifying appropriate supports and accommodations, including through Section 504 Plans, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and Individualized Health Plans (IHPs), as appropriate. In addition, they serve as an important liaison among families, educators, school personnel, and external medical providers to promote coordinated, consistent, and trauma-informed support for students experiencing PANS/PANDAS.
NYASP supports the passage of A.9659A (Cashman) / S10208A (Harckham). This vital piece of legislation would ensure that all children in New York have access to the care they need to recover and thrive.
The bills this letter supports
This memorandum supports the passage of A.9659A and S10208A. The current bills are A9659A, sponsored by Assemblymember Michael Cashman and now in the Assembly Insurance Committee, and S10208, sponsored by Senator Pete Harckham and now in the Senate Insurance Committee.
Send a letter to your own legislators or read more about the bills.