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Clinical Practice in Developmental Disorders - PSY00104M

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

To introduce students to key clinical skills, appropriate for working with children with developmental disorders in a range of contexts.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • Examine the principles of, and develop basic competence in, the interview and observation skills appropriate to a psychotherapeutic situation. Aiding students in developing skills in analysis of behaviour as well as the ability to categorise and describe objective behavioural observations in formal written evaluations.
  • To evaluate the importance, the benefits, and the challenges of developing a good therapeutic relationship, including the impact of this relationship on formulation and assessment of children and young people.
  • To employ reflective practice as a mechanism for professional development and communication. To use reflective practice techniques and skills to develop critical self evaluation and introspection.
  • To appraise and develop basic communicative skills needed to interact effectively with children with a range of developmental disorders. This will include adaptation of information to a wide range of communication needs and abilities while maintaining meaning for the child and clinical effectiveness.
  • To develop communication skills that can be adapted to a variety of people within a clinical setting both verbally and in writing. This will include adapting writing and maintaining meaning while simplifying complex information.
  • To identify the basic principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and evaluate when and how it can be appropriately applied, taught through the understanding of basic Cognitive Behavioural Formulation skills. This will include basic formulation skills and applying the formulation into meaningful and effective interventions.

Academic and Graduate Skills

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of different psychotherapeutic contexts and approaches, particularly as organised in the UK. This will include discussions and comparison of a variety of social or cultural factors in health care for children.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and basic competence in some of the key clinical skills necessary to work effectively with children, particularly those with developmental disorders.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 70
Essay/coursework 30

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 70
Essay/coursework 30

Module feedback

Results will be released through e:vision.

Indicative reading

Hersen, M. & Thomas, J. C. (2007) Handbook of clinical interviewing with children.

Papatheodorou, T. (2012) Child observation for learning and research.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.