Child Psychopathology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

85 hours

Enrolment in one of the following Psychology professional training progams, 527CL, 527CN, 080CL, 080CN or MC-PSYCHCS

Completion of psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level.

None

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/

This subject is focused around disorders such as autism, anxiety and depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders and learning/communication difficulties, intellectual disability, and eating disorders. Emphasis is on identifying such disorders, and understanding possible aetiologies and prognoses from a developmental framework. The complexity of working with a child in the context of the family is also addressed.

Students will acquire a basic understanding of clinical assessments of children and adolescents for various disorders of infancy, childhood and adolescence; and gain introductory knowledge of evidence based treatment for these disorders. Students will also be acquainted with appropriate use of diagnostic classification systems, such as DSM-IV, and their limitations in the diagnosis of childhood disorders will be addressed.

Assignment - a written case scenario will be provided mid semester and the student will be expected to provide a report of not more than 1000 words outlining the assessment process leading to a possible diagnosis/es, differential diagnoses and evidenced based treatment. 30%

Essay - an essay of not more than 2500 words on a given topic relevant to the lecture series will also be required. 70%

Mandatory attendance of at least 80% of the seminars and satisfactory class participation is also required.

No prescribed text.

Mash, Edward J. & Barkly, Russell A. Child Psychopathology (2nd edition 2003); The Guildford Press: New York. A reading list will be provided.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Written, oral and interpersonal communication skills

Analytical, information intergration and synthesizing skills

Thorough knowledge of typical child development will be presumed