Introduction to Forensic Disability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Intensive Mode

In addition to face-to-face teaching time of 40 hours, students should expect to undertake a minimum of 120 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

An examination of psychological assessment and intervention strategies as applied to the special population of offenders with an intellectual disability. Included are considerations of:
(i) the postulated link between intellectual ability and offending behaviour (including historical, socio-cultural, biological, psychological and methodological issues);
(ii) major skills and methods for the assessment of offenders with an intellectual disability;
(iii) descriptions of, and justifications for, intervention and management programs for this particular group of offenders;
(iv) issues arising from the characteristics of special needs groups in this population, for example, sex offenders, offenders with dual disability (mental illness as well as intellectual disability);
(v) selected legal issues which may involve the clinician dealing with offenders with an intellectual disability; and
(vi) Philosophical and ethical considerations in this area.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

i. Explain and analyse the postulated link between intellectual disability and offending behaviour in the conext of historical, socio-cultural, biological, phychological, methodological and profession issues

ii. Provide an awareness of specific legal issues facing offenders with an intellectual disability at each stage of their progression through the criminal justice system

iii. Describe the principles of clinical assessment for this group and outline some specific techniques of assessment iv. Explain the principles of clinical interventions and methods of evaluating such interventions v. Provide an appreciation of the legal, philosophical and policy contexts in which much clinical decision-making takes place

Assessment

a. Individual written assessment: 3,000 words (75%)

b. Oral presentation: 20-25 minutes plus 5 - 10 minutes Q&A time; completed in pairs (20%)

c. Individual commentary (5%)

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
• achieve a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• Achieve an ability to incorporate theoretical principles and concepts into professional practice;