Working with children in early years and schools settings, or in children’s centres today means that you will almost certainly encounter children diagnosed with or suspected of experiencing Developmental Trauma, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this module students study a range of serious difficulties which some children encounter, together with some consideration of the interventions by which they can be helped.
Students will learn how developmental trauma jeopardises and delays children’s development in their emotional, educational and social lives. They will gain understanding of the difficulties encountered by and the subjective experiences of young people on the autistic spectrum as well as some strategies which have been used to improve their situation. Similarly, students will gain an understanding of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, looking at causes, treatments and controversies which surround this.
During the module students will be helped to understand and debate the relative merits of the biological, neurological and psychosocial processes involved as well as the more apparent effects on the children and their functioning. In the module as a whole, students will learn to appreciate the complex interactions between nature and nurture in relation to all three presentations, but also recognise the central importance of connecting with each child and their unique experience of their diagnosis and difficulties as above and beyond relating to the diagnosis itself.
The module is mainly based around reading and discussion of the issues, but some seminars will include workshops and more personal engagement to bring the material alive.
Aims
• To help students understand a range of serious difficulties faced by children, with attention to aetiology, subjective experience and therapeutic interventions
• To enable students to be more aware of the diversity of infants and children they are likely to encounter working in childcare settings
• To have a better understanding of the dilemmas and difficulties experienced in settings catering for children with diverse characteristic and learning needs
Learning Outcomes
• Student will know what is meant by Developmental Trauma, and have a psychodynamic and psychosocial understanding of how it arises and how it can be addressed
• Student will know what is meant by the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and have an appreciation of what children on the spectrum experience, along with a basic knowledge of effective interventions
• Student will know what is meant by ADHD, different views of its aetiology, a psychodynamic and psychosocial understanding of the disorder and a range of useful interventions
• Student will be familiar with the controversies and debates surrounding these difficulties / disorders and will be able to articulate a reasoned position on each one
- Module Supervisor: Chris Nicholson