UNLV's Child School Refusal and Anxiety Disorders Clinic is now accepting referrals for the 2006-07 school year. Services will commence Sept. 8 and continue through March 31, 2007.

This outpatient clinic is designed to assess and treat youth who have difficulties attending school or remaining in classes for an entire day. These difficulties may be the result of fear, general or social anxiety, or separation or family problems.

This year, the clinic is particularly interested in receiving referrals for teenagers who engage in self-injury (e.g., cutting) not related to a developmental disability. Youths with anxiety-related disorders are also welcome, including those with selective mutism, social anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions, compulsions, perfectionism, and severe fear.

In order to be eligible, the child's school refusal problem - or any of the other aforementioned problems - must be his/her primary behavior problem

Youth ages 5-17 years may be eligible for assessment and treatment for these problems. Fees will be assessed on a sliding-scale basis and will be determined by each family's ability to pay.

Parents may call 895-0183 to schedule an assessment to determine whether their situation is compatible with the clinic.