PYN034 Childhood Psychopathology and Treatment

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Infants, children, and young people can experience a range of psychological difficulties, ranging from limits on their ability to reach full potential to severe psychopathology. Infants, children and young people are developing and changing rapidly, hence a thorough knowledge of child development must underpin all appraisals of infant's, children's and young people's behaviour. They must also be seen within the context of their family, the school and the wider community in which they function. Both past experiences and current circumstances influence children's behaviour and development. Effective assessment and management of infant's, children's and young people's difficulties demands an awareness of, and sensitivity to family dynamics and the effects of a wide range of cultural and environmental factors on family functioning and child development and behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Assess children's behavioural, social and emotional problems with regard to the influence of systemic issues and predisposing factors;
2. Apply classification systems in relation to disorders of childhood and demonstrate awareness of how cultural considerations especially for First Nations people apply;
3. Develop appropriate culturally competent assessment and treatment plans for the most common disorders of childhood and adolescence;
4. Implement appropriate culturally competent preventative and intervention strategies in relation to children at risk;
5. Identify the major classes of psychopharmacological treatments for disorders of childhood.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit consists of lectures though it has a practical focus with an emphasis on assessment and intervention. The unit draws upon existing knowledge about child development and knowledge gained through the assessment, interventions and internship units of the current course, to develop skills in working effectively with children, adolescents and families.

PY18 and PY19 course design is intentionally blended to purposefully integrate active face-to-face learning experiences with blended/online learning experiences across the course consistent with the course learning outcomes, cohort needs and discipline professional practices. Canvas is used within this unit to inform and enhance your learning. All unit material required for learning and completing assessment is included online through Canvas. Additional readings and resources such as web links and video material is also posted where appropriate to expand your ability to advance your knowledge in the unit's subject matter.

A key aim of the unit and course is to support (provisional) psychologists in developing their knowledge, skills and competencies so they are able to provide the best quality care for their clients. Underlying this aim, and in line with registration guidelines, is a focus on ensuring the public's safety.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

The formative aspect aims to strengthen your skills by providing you with constructive feedback. You will have the option to submit an outline of your major essay by mid-semester to assist you in planning and ensuring you are on track with the task. Feedback is provided on all summative assessment to assist your learning from each task.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Assessment 1 is a 3000 word critical essay on a contemporary issue in the area of child psychopathology, worth 60% of your final grade for the unit. Assessment 2 is a case presentation in which you need to demonstrate your application of contemporary theory and research to clinical material.

Specific criteria for each piece of assessment will be discussed in Week 1.

How your grade will be determined: You will receive a mark for each individual assessment item (essay and case presentation), along with feedback on that item against the criteria and standards provided in the rubric. At the end of semester, the marks for the two individual assessment items will be summed to determine your overall percentage.

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that individual markers have applied criteria and standards consistently and fairly. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success.

Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Essay

You will be provided with a list of topics relevant to contemporary issues in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Treatment in Week 2. The requirement is to select one of these contemporary issues and write a critical essay (Maximum word length 3000 plus appendix). This essay should reflect:|

• a relevant literature review that identifies key literature and authors related to the issue;
• a critical appraisal by you of this literature and your perspective on the issue, as well as the empirical and theoretical aspects and questions rasised by the issue for the field;
• the implications for clinical practice posed by the issue;
• an Appendix that can be posted on Canvas for sharing with the class highlighting contemporary treatment approach(es) for the disorder focused on (between 750-1000 words).

The major focus of this paper should be in highlighting your understanding of the issue, and not simply be a review of literature.

1. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Case Presentation

Taking on the role of a provisional psychologist at a multidisciplinary case conference, you will present a case involving a childhood disorder. Drawing on the contemporary theory and research discussed during the course, you will present the case, including your assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Carr, A (2016). Handbook of Child and Adolescent Child Psychology. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

Recommended text(s)

Wilmhurst, L. (2013). Clinical and Educational Child Psychology: An Ecological-Transactional Approach to understanding child problems and interventions. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

Risk Assessment Statement

Discussion of childhood related issues may cause distress to some participants. Students who may find the material stressful are advised to discuss any issues which arise with a member of the University Counselling Service. The service is provided at no cost to QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY18 Master of Clinical Psychology

1. Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of Clinical Psychology to plan, assess, treat and manage clients with mental disorders and conditions, across the lifespan and from a range of backgrounds, including accessing, evaluating and utilising digital health information.
   Relates to: Essay, Case Presentation
2. Engage in the development and evaluation of evidence-based interventions, using advanced critical thinking and decision making skills, applying professional values and reflective practice to inform culturally safe and effective intra- and inter-professional collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
   Relates to: Case Presentation
3. Plan, undertake and disseminate research in complex real world situations from diverse perspectives, demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability relevant to professional practice.
   Relates to: Essay
4. Promote and practice effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships.
   Relates to: Essay

PY19 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)

1. Critically evaluate and apply theories of psychology and evidence-based knowledge and skills applicable to the professional practice of educational and developmental psychology, adhering to contemporary professional practice standards.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO5, Essay, Case Presentation
2. Formulate approaches for engaging in critical thinking. decision making and reflective practice, drawing on cognitive, technical and creative skills, to identify and implement contemporary evidence-based intervention and assessment strategies in varied contexts that reflect culturally safe and responsive practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Case Presentation
3. Access, evaluate, and utilise relevant psychological information that informs and assists in intra- and inter-professional collaboration with a range of audiences and contexts that demonstrates creativity and initiative as an educational and developmental psychologist.
   Relates to: Essay
4. Promote and practise effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships across diverse stakeholders.
   Relates to: Essay