UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

Clinical and neuropsychological assessment and treatment of common neurodevelopmental disorders requires an understanding of normal cognitive development as well as the aetiology, developmental trajectory and underlying neuropsychological profiles. This facilitates the ability to identify comorbid and differential diagnoses and work with children and families in an effective manner. Thus, it is essential that Clinical Psychologists and Neuropsychologists stay abreast of the theory and research in this field so they can understand the difficulties faced by their clients, develop competencies in evidence-based assessment practices and implement appropriate therapies and interventions.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) develop an understanding of normal cognitive development, empirically supported theories and key concepts underlying paediatric neuropsychological disorders and interventions; (2) develop an understanding of the aetiology, developmental trajectory and neuropsychological profiles of common neurodevelopment conditions; (3) gain an understanding of how to diagnose, assess and treat children and adolescents with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions in an evidence-based and culturally responsive manner; (4) have gained basic skills in, and the ability to, critically evaluate assessment and intervention methods for children and families with these disorders, taking into consideration cultural issues; and (5) develop skills in communicating empirically supported knowledge about issues relating to these disorders to varied audiences, (e.g. parents, teachers, and practitioners in related professions).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class/workshop presentation; (2) examination; and (3) attendance. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the attendance component.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Carmela Pestell

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

01890/54590 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology

and Successful completion of

three Unit(s) PSYC5672 Foundations in Clinical Skills I
and Unit(s) PSYC5673 Foundations in Clinical Skills II
and Unit(s) PSYC5531 Assessment and Intervention—Adult Complex Disorders

Incompatibility

Unit(s) PSYC5552 Assessment

Advisable prior study

PSYC5674 Assessment and Intervention—Childhood Disorders

Contact hours

12 x 3 hours (attendance at classes/workshops is compulsory)

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist. It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration for the duration of their enrolment in the program.