Introductory description

This module covers fundamental areas and phenomena of Intellectual and Developmental disabilities, exploring competing perspectives, contemporary debates and important areas of application.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module covers fundamental areas and phenomena of Intellectual and Developmental disabilities, exploring competing perspectives, contemporary debates and important areas of application. The module looks at Intellectual and sensory impairments pre-natal, post-natal and across the life-span. The module will explore the types of research methods, theoretical perspectives and questions of value, culture and context. The role of brain functioning will be considered throughout this module. This module will also identify how the skills and knowledge gained during this module are relevant to GBC competencies and training which are relevant to future work and studies in the area of Psychology. This module will be of particular interest for students who would like to explore a career as an educational or clinical psychologist.

In the context of contemporary societies and globalisation the field of Developmental Psychology is pivotal to understanding ourselves and others. It needs to be adequately theorised and researched to allow orientation to the psychological phenomena of contemporary individual, family and community lives. This module is aimed at developing in students the necessary knowledge to approach this.

The module will centre around the material being delivered in lectures as well as activities within seminar and Moodle work. All course materials, including all lecture power points and overheads will be available on Moodle. Use will be made of audio and video materials to give examples and explore the approaches and issues involved in the module. Opportunities will be provided for class discussion and consideration and reflection on the relationship of the teaching content to the students’ experience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify and appreciate differences in cognitive, social and emotional, behavioural development of individuals with intellectual disabilities and sensory impairments.
• Enter into theoretical and evidential debates, and evaluate positions taken by researchers on key issues in intellectual disability and sensory impairment research.
• Identify and analyse methodologies used for the measurement and diagnosis of intellectual disabilities by researchers, educational and clinical psychologists.
• Demonstrate an understanding of concepts, perspectives, and research methods in the neurobiology of brain development and the effects of genetic and environmental factors in the development of intellectual disability and sensory impairments.

Indicative reading list

Emerson, E. (2012). Clinical psychology and people with intellectual disabilities. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
e-book - http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=361876&src=0

Recommended
Carr, A., Linehan, C., O'Reilly, G., Walsh, P. N., & McEvoy, J. (Eds.). (2016). The handbook of intellectual disability and clinical psychology practice. Routledge.
Harris, J.C., (2010). Intellectual Disability: a guide for families and professionals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Goodey, C. F. (2016). A history of intelligence and 'intellectual disability': The shaping of psychology in early modern europe. Routledge.

Lightfoot, C. (2009). The Development of Children. 6th ed. New York: Worth Publishers.
Jacobson, J. W., Mulick, J. A., & Rojahn, J. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Springer Science & Business Media.
Kaufman, A. S. (2018). Contemporary intellectual assessment: Theories, tests, and issues. Guilford Publications.
Roth, I. (2010). The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century: exploring psychology, biology and best practice. London: Jessica Kingsley

Subject specific skills

awareness of the assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disabilities
evaluation of psychological research and methods of measurement and diagnosis
Understand the historical perspective of care
Understand approaches to psychological intervention

Transferable skills

effective communication skills to develop a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience;
familiarity with collecting and organising stored information found in library book and journal collections, and online, critically evaluating primary and secondary sources;
effective personal planning skills