Student Risk Assessments
Student Risk & Threat Assessments for School Safety
When a student's behavior raises safety concerns, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is a critical step. Dr. John Wilson, a trusted child and adolescent psychiatrist, provides specialized risk and threat assessments to help determine if a student can safely return to, or remain in, the school environment. Serving Philadelphia, its suburbs, and communities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, these evaluations provide schools and families with clear, defensible guidance.
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This service is for school administrators needing professional assessments to manage risk, and for parents who have been advised that an evaluation is necessary for their child to either re-enter or continue in their current school setting.
What Are School Safety Risk Assessments?
A school safety risk assessment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation designed to assess a student's potential risk of harm to themselves or others within the school community. The goal is to provide an objective, expert opinion that helps schools and families make informed decisions about a student's educational path.
These evaluations are commonly required in two main situations:
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To Return to School: Following a psychiatric hospitalization, extended absence, or a significant behavioral incident.
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To Remain in School: When a current student's behavior raises safety concerns, such as making threats, demonstrating significant behavioral changes, or engaging in other concerning actions.
Dr. Wilson’s assessments provide a structured framework for managing these complex situations, prioritizing the well-being of the individual student and the entire school community.
A Thorough, Collaborative, and Expert Approach
Dr. Wilson provides a more robust and useful alternative to the generic "clearance notes" often issued by emergency rooms or general clinics. His approach is rooted in deep expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry and threat assessment, allowing for a nuanced understanding of student behavior. He actively collaborates with school personnel (with parental consent) to gather crucial context, ensuring that the final recommendations are realistic and relevant. The goal is to create a clear, actionable safety plan that supports the student while protecting the entire school community.
Dr. Wilson's Process and Actionable Recommendations
Dr. Wilson’s process is designed to be comprehensive and include collateral information from school, mental health treatment providers, and interviews with the student and parents. The result is a detailed report that provides clear, practical guidance, including:
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A professional opinion on a student's readiness to return to or remain in school.
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Specific strategies to mitigate any identified risks.
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Recommendations for the school's safety and support plan (e.g., accommodations, behavioral plans, counseling check-ins).
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Guidance for parents on how to best support their child.
Schedule a Student Risk Assessment
If you are a school administrator or parent facing a difficult decision about student safety in the Philadelphia, PA, or NJ area, contact Dr. Wilson’s office. His expertise helps ensure every situation is handled professionally, safely, and supportively.