Overview

The aim of this unit is to provide students with: A detailed understanding of the disorders seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence according to the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) An understanding of the key principles relevant to conducting psychological assessments with children /adolescents and their families in order for formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning. An appreciation of the importance of understanding “normal” child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families An understanding of a psychodynamic and other theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour An understanding of a range of treatment options for disorders in infancy, childhood and adolescence.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY60003 Psychology Practice with Children and Adolescents

Rules

Pre-requisite
Admission to the Masters of Psychology ( Clinical Psychology)

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-February-2024
26-May-2024
Last self-enrolment date
10-March-2024
Census date
31-March-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
12-April-2024
Results released date
02-July-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of normal child development
  • Understand the role of early experiences in shaping children’s development and behaviour
  • Consider possible diagnoses and differential diagnoses
  • Develop a comprehensive case formulation and treatment plan
  • Write assessment reports
  • Discuss case relevant issues and consider a range of factors that might influence clinical presentations

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Seminar
3.00 12 weeks 36
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case ReportIndividual 60% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
Case StudiesIndividual 0% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
ReportGroup 40% 1,2,6 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

  • Students are expected to attend 10 out of 12 classes unless exceptional circumstances prevail, in which case they should email/phone the convenor
  • To pass this unit, you must have attempted and passed all assessment components including hurdle components
  • Content

    This unit introduces students to the area of child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. The importance of understanding “normal” child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families is emphasized. Students will be introduced to a psychodynamic and other theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour. Students will be expected to attain a detailed understanding of some of the common problems seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence.

    Topics cover the broad areas of:

    • The area of child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment.
    • The importance of understanding “normal” child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families is emphasized.
    • Theoretical frameworks, including a psychodynamic  framework for understanding child development and behaviour.
    • A detailed understanding of some of the common problems seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
    • Treatment options and the role of medication in child psychopathology

    Study resources

    Reading materials

    A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.