Students

PSYN808 – Developmental Neuropsychology

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Melanie Porter
Contact via melanie.porter@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro or DClinNeuro
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit offers an introduction to developmental issues in clinical neuropsychology. There will be a focus on developmental changes in brain structure as well as the development of the major functional systems such as language, memory and executive skills. A range of common developmental and acquired conditions of childhood will be covered and their associated neuropsychological features will be discussed in detail, with an emphasis on the consequences for clinical assessment and management. Clinical case presentations and examples will be used extensively throughout the course.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 1 20% No To be advised
Exam 1 20% No To be advised
Essay 2 20% No To be advised
Exam 2 20% No To be advised
Exam 3 20% No To be advised

Essay 1

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 20%

Essay of approximately 1,000 words  (max. 1,250 words). Essay topics to be distributed in class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Exam 1

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 20%

Exam will be closed book - short answers covering lecture topics from previous weeks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Essay 2

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 20%

Essay of approximately 1,000 words (max. 1,250 words). Topics will be distributed in class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Exam 2

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 20%

Exam will be closed book - short answers covering lecture topics from previous weeks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Exam 3

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 20%

Exam will be closed book - short answers covering lecture topics from previous weeks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Delivery and Resources

Prescribed Unit Materials:

  • Lecture references
  • Lecture handouts available on iLearn
  • Class handouts

 

Recommended Texts:

  • Anderson, V., Northam, E., Hendy, J., & Wrennall, J. (2001). Developmental Neuropsychology: A Clinical Approach. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
  • Yeates, K.O., Ris, M.D., Taylor, H.G., & Pennington, B.F. (2010). Paediatric Neuropsychology: Research, Theory and Practice. NY: The Guilford Press.
  • Baron, I.S. (2004). Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Child. NY: Oxford University Press.

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Exam 1
  • Essay 2
  • Exam 2
  • Exam 3

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • In depth knowledge of pre-natal and post-natal brain development that can be applied clinically
  • In depth knowledge of cognitive development that can be applied clinically
  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Exam 1
  • Essay 2
  • Exam 2
  • Exam 3

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child
  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Exam 1
  • Essay 2
  • Exam 2
  • Exam 3

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • In depth understanding of a wide range of developmental and acquired brain disorders that can be applied clinically

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Exam 1
  • Essay 2
  • Exam 2
  • Exam 3

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Tools to assist with gaining rapport and managing difficult children so as to obtain a comprehensive and valid assessment of a child

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Exam 1
  • Essay 2
  • Exam 2
  • Exam 3