Postgraduate Course: Neurodiversity and Neurodevelopmental Conditions (CLPS11107)
Course Outline
| School | School of Health in Social Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to cover theories, methodologies, key social/cognitive processing and contextual factors that play a role in the mental health and wellbeing of neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions (including Autism, ADHD, Williams Syndrome, Downs Syndrome etc). Current research focus, topical debates and key mental health issues relevant to each different group will be covered. |
| Course description |
This course addresses social development, cognitive development and mental health within different neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions including, Autism, Fragile X syndrome, Down's syndrome, ADHD, William's Syndrome and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. The course will cover relevant theories, models, experimental paradigms, approaches, topical research areas and key clinical issues for each neurodivergent or neurodevelopmental group being covered. Students will learn about social and cognitive processing as well as other important factors such as education, family, friendships etc and how these impact mental health and wellbeing. Throughout the course students will be reminded of the methodological and ethical issues surrounding research in this field.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Programme entrance qualifications apply. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Programme entrance qualifications apply. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 12,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
170 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay, 3500 words, 100% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically evaluate relevant theories and methodologies within neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the key social and cognitive differences in neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the existing literature that focuses on neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Critique and evaluate the principles of developmental processes as they apply to mental health and wellbeing in neurodivergent groups and neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Reading List
Smith P K, Cowie H & Blades M. (2015). Understanding children's development. John Wiley & Sons.
van Herwegen J & Riby D M (2014). Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Research Challenges and Solutions. Psychology Press: Hove and New York.
In addition, the following text is also recommended and an e-copy is available through the UoE library website:
Howlin P, Charman T & Ghaziuddin M (2011). The SAGE handbook of developmental disorders. London: Sage Publications (e-copy)
The following journals are particularly relevant for this module:
Developmental Psychology
British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Developmental Science
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
In completing this module students will develop:
* analytical skills
* evaluating research evidence
* critically reviewing sampling methods and group matching
* critical writing
* application of statistics in atypical research
* presenting skills
* communicating through multimedia |
| Keywords | mental health,child development,neurodiversity |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Karri Gillespie-Smith
Tel: (0131 6)51 3932
Email: Karri.Gillespie-Smith@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Katie Killeen
Tel: (01316) 513969
Email: kkilleen@ed.ac.uk |
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