PSYC6513
Clinical Psychology of Special Groups: Intellectual Disabilities/Older Adults
10 Units
Available in 2013
| Callaghan Campus | Semester 1 |
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Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
This course focusses on the clinical psychology of those with intellectual disabilities and the elderly. Half of the course will be devoted to each of these groups. Teaching on intellectual disabilities will cover the definition, aetiology and assessment of intellectual disability, service provision, and psychological interventions for individuals and their carers. Teaching on the elderly builds on the earlier coverage of the neuropsychological assessment of this group to encompass the role of psychologists in ameliorating the effects of dementia on individuals and their carers. The teaching also covers therapeutic interventions for behavioural disturbances and emotional disorders.
| Objectives | At the conclusion of the semester students will be able to: 1. Assess the intellectual deficits and level of adaptive behaviour of people with intellectual disability. 2. Assess the support needs of people with intellectual disability and take appropriate steps to ensure those needs are met. 3. Assess the needs of the carers of people with intellectual disability and take appropriate steps to ensure those needs are met. 4. Identify the factors determining the formation and maintenance of the common behavioural and psychological problems of people with intellectual disability and develop appropriate intervention strategies for the amelioration of those problems. 5. Assess the functional capacity and competence of older adults and communicate the results of those assessments to caregivers. 6. Assess the needs of the carers of elderly people and take appropriate steps to ensure those needs are met. 7. Identify the factors determining the formation and maintenance of the common behavioural and psychological problems of the elderly and develop appropriate intervention strategies for the amelioration of those problems. 8. Implement intervention strategies and evaluate their success. |
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| Content | * Definition, aetiology and assessment of intellectual disabilities (IQ and adaptive behaviour). * Assessing and meeting the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. *The impact of intellectual disability on the family * Models of behavioural assessment and intervention for people with intellectual disabilities. * Dual diagnosis: intellectual disability and mental health problems. * Psychological aspects of normal aging. * Cognition, functional capacity, and competency in the elderly. * Dementing illnesses: The role of the psychologist. * Behavioural disturbance among the elderly: assessment and management. * Depressive illnesses, grief/bereavement, promoting well-being. * Anxiety disorders (including PTSD) among the elderly. * Carers of the elderly with chronic diseases: Listening, informing, educating, and counselling. |
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| Replacing Course(s) | None | ||||
| Transition | From 2007, PSYC6513 is not to be taken with PSYC6601 for those students enrolled in the PhD (Clinical Psychology) program. | ||||
| Industrial Experience | 0 | ||||
| Assumed Knowledge | It is assumed that students will have completed courses in lifespan developmental psychology and individual differences within a four-year program in Psychology which has been accredited by the Australian Psychological Society. It is also assumed that students will have completed PSYC6507, Cognitive and Neuropsychological Assessment. | ||||
| Modes of Delivery | Internal Mode | ||||
| Teaching Methods | Problem Based Learning
Seminar Workshop |
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| Assessment Items |
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| Contact Hours | Seminar: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term | ||||
| Compulsory Components |
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| Timetables | 2013 Course Timetables for PSYC6513 |