DPSY7141 - Clinical child, adolescent and family psychology part 1

Leader: Dr Wendy Crouch

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is enhance students' skills in the assessment of children, adolescents and their families in various clinical settings. Students will become familiar with appropriate psychological tests with infants, children and adolescents. Skills in the interpretation of complex cognitive profiles and presentation of test results in concise, comprehensive report formats will be developed. The tests covered will include developmental tests (Bayleys Infant Development Scales, Vineland Adaptive Scales) tests of cognitive functioning (eg WISC, WRAML, Children's Memory Scale, and Rey Complex Figure) and projective techniques.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will be familiar with the selection of appropriate tests for infants, children and adolescents and will have developed their skills in administration of a wide range of cognitive and projective techniques to children and adolescents. They will be able to score the tests, interpret the results and write comprehensive reports of child assessments. At the end of this units students will be expected to:

1. have knowledge of the administration, scoring and interpretation of the following tests:
1. Bayleys Infant Development Scales
2. Vineland Adaptive Scales
3. WRAML, Children's Memory Scale and other memory tests
4. Rey Complex Figure;
2. have increased their skills in the interpretation of complex WISC profiles;
3. have learned to use and interpret projective techniques with children and adolescents;
4. show awareness of, and be sensitive and responsive to cultural/ethnic diversity in their clinical work;
5. be more familiar with specialised assessments, such as crisis assessment, and assessments in a consultation-liaison context.

Assessment

Log book documenting observation/practical work (hurdle requirement); written 3000 word report of a comprehensive psychological assessment of a child or adolescent (80%); oral case presentation (20%).