Child Psychopathology and Assessment
Duration
- 1 semester /teaching period
Contact hours
- 36 Hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
Admission to Master of Psychology (Clinical) MA-PSYCLP; or Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical) DR-PHICP; or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) DR-CFPSY or equivalent
Corequisites
NilAims and objectives
This unit aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of disorders seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Students will gain understanding of key principles relevant to conducting psychological assessments with children /adolescents and their families for formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning. Knowledge of theoretical frameworks for conceptualising child development and behaviour is developed while ensuring that students understand “normal” child development and the importance of taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families .
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Understand the importance of normal child development.
2. Describe the role of early experiences in shaping children’s development and behaviour.
3. Consider possible diagnoses and differential diagnoses.
4. Develop a comprehensive case formulation and treatment plan.
1. Understand the importance of normal child development.
2. Describe the role of early experiences in shaping children’s development and behaviour.
3. Consider possible diagnoses and differential diagnoses.
4. Develop a comprehensive case formulation and treatment plan.
Courses with unit
Master of Psychology (Clinical) MA-PSYCLP; or Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical) DR-PHICP; or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) DR-CFPSY or equivalent
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Face to Face Contact Seminar | 3 | 12 | 36 |
Unspecified Learning Activities Independent study Assignment preparation Revision |
9.5 | 12 | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
1. Report Group 40%
2. Case Report Individual 60%
2. Case Report Individual 60%
General skills outcomes
During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
- problem solving skills
- analysis skills
- communication skills
- ability to tackle unfamiliar problems, and
- ability to work independently
- problem solving skills
- analysis skills
- communication skills
- ability to tackle unfamiliar problems, and
- ability to work independently
Content
Topics cover the broad areas of:
• Child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Understanding “normal” child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families
• Theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour.
• Understanding the biopsychosocial model as it applies to the development of child/ adolescent psychopathology
• Treatment options including the role of medication in child psychopathology
• Child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Understanding “normal” child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families
• Theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour.
• Understanding the biopsychosocial model as it applies to the development of child/ adolescent psychopathology
• Treatment options including the role of medication in child psychopathology
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Reference materials will be available on Blackboard.
The Library has a large collection of resource materials, both texts and current journals and video resources. It is recommended that you explore other sources to broaden your understanding.