Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit develops students' theoretical understanding of mental health, child psychopathology and the developmental lifespan perspectives of the disorders and disabilities most commonly found in the child and adolescent mainstream and special education population. The identification element, features definitions and assessment (including neuropsychological assessment of executive functions) of disorders and disabilities and understanding the DSM and ICD classification criteria. In addition, Positive Mental Health will be discussed. The educational needs associated with children with learning difficulties, communication disorders, physical, intellectual, hearing and visual impairments, disruptive behaviour disorders (ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder), psychopathy, developmental dyspraxia, intellectual impairment, pervasive developmental disorders and tic disorders provide the focus of the unit. Aspects of developmental psychopathology and family and social systems are also presented. Leading child and adolescent psychiatrists and persons with a developmental psychopathology may be involved to provide an understanding of their role and the role of medication (in the case of the former) and their coping strategies (in the case of the latter) in the management of their neuro-disability. The techniques and strategies used in behavioural, cognitive behavioural and cognitive bias modification approaches in a variety of contexts are discussed. The use of clinical interview and developmental history assessment techniques are examined and substantiated with practical assignments. The contribution of critical antecedents in early childhood and adolescence in the development of psychopathologies and adverse mental health is examined in detail. Throughout the course students will examine (group work) two cases that have involved critical incidents. In this exercise the underlying contributing mechanisms will be identified and profiles established for preventive approaches.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand the historical conceptualisation, aetiology, prevalence, classification and characteristics associated with various categories of psychopathology and mental health outcomes; (2) differentiate early onset versus adolescent-limited psychopathologies; (3) understand the nature of and trajectories to developmental psychopathologies and adverse mental health; (4) identify underlying mechanisms in developmental psychopathology leading to adverse mental health and critical incidents; (5) understanding of cognitive approaches to managing developmental psychopathology; and (6) understand the major issues in the field of assessment.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) individual case study of a child with additional mental health support needs and (2) analysis of three individuals with additional mental health support needs that represent different points on the continuum. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Stephen Houghton
- Contact hours
- face to face four days intensive teaching
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.