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PSY523 Problems Emerging During Childhood and Adolescence (24)

Abstract

This subject develops in students a sound knowledge and skill base for working with children, adolescents, adults with intellectual disabilities and juvenile justice offenders. In addition to an assessed clinical placement, the subject is structured around illustrative case studies, residential schools, and written assignments. The clinical population examined in this subject has limited autonomy and associated vulnerabilities, and thus this subject aims to provide students not only with a clear understanding of the clinical issues but also an awareness of social principles and legal requirements that determine service delivery and intervention.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Distance*Bathurst Campus
Session 2
Distance*Bathurst Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY523
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
Two sessionHD/FLSchool of Psychology

Enrolment restrictions

Master of Psychology and Doctor of Psychology students only

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of current developmental approaches to child and adolescent psychology
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical debates about the psychology of infancy
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the genesis of psychopathology in infancy and its consequences for later life
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to early intervention
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of non-directive play therapy with young children
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of specific child and adolescent conditions/disorders and other psychological problems from a clinical perspective
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in assessing and diagnosing psychological conditions and problems in individuals up to the age of 18 years including juvenile justice offenders
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of juvenile justice theory, practice and research
- be able to demonstrate an awareness of central issues in juvenile justice systems
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of intellectual disability in general, and of specific developmental disabilities in which cognitive functioning is impaired, their aetiology and prevalence, and their implications for the individual's quality of life
- be able to demonstrate an awareness of the personal cost of disability for (1) persons with a disability, (2) their families, and (3) the community, as well as an appreciation of the social principles and legal requirements that determine service delivery
- be able to prepare treatment plans and to administer these (under supervision) for children and individuals up to the age of 18 years, including those with a disability
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles involved in conducting a psychological assessment in children, and be able to interpret test results appropriately
- be able to demonstrate an awareness of commonly used psychological tests in the assessment for developmental conditions/disorders
- be able to work clinically in complex contexts
- be able to work competently with adult carers of clients
- be able to present case material, orally and in written form

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
- Theories of psychological development - Psychological visions of infancy - The genesis of psychopathology in infancy and its consequences for later life - Assessing different approaches to early intervention with infants and young children - Psychological disorders and problems affecting children and adolescents - Interviewing, assessment and psychological testing for children and adolescents (e.g., psychoeducational assessment, assessment procedures used with juvenile offenders) - The range of clinical treatments and intervention/remediation programs for developmental conditions/disorders (e.g., psychoeducational interventions, behavioural interventions with individuals with an intellectual disability, interventions for juvenile offenders) - Specific areas of focus include: - Fear and anxiety - Depression - Abuse and neglect - Behavioural problems - Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Autism and Aspergers Syndrome - Specific Learning Disabilities - Suicide risk in young people - Internalising and externalising disorders - Theories and models of juvenile justice - Risk and protective factors for juvenile offending - Assessment and intervention with juvenile offenders - Developmental issues with juvenile offenders - Definition of intellectual disability - Aetiology and prevention of intellectual disability - Disability or delay: the continuity/discontinuity debate - Community values and disability - Assessment of parenting capacity - Non-directive play therapy - Attachment - Intersubjectivity - Transference-countertransference relations

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 7.5 day residential school. No change to the purpose and activities of the existing residential school.

Work Place Learning

This subject contains a Workplace Learning component. Please contact the subject coordinator for further information.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.