32110 - Functional Diagnosis and Disability in School and Community Environments

Learning outcomes

At the end of the training activity, the student: - knows the principles of diagnostic evaluation and integrated treatment of the main developmental disabilities and conditions of academic difficulty; - is able to conduct a functional assessment of residual abilities and potential abilities; - is able to integrate their interventions with other professionals in school and community settings.

Course contents

The methods and particular clinical attention to be implemented in the psychopathological evaluation with adolescents will be covered, in particular: how to conduct a clinical interview and how and what to observe in the patient, also highlighting the methods of collecting clinical information from family members and teachers.

Knowledge of the main psychopathological pictures present in the developmental age, which will be covered: prevalent semiology, etiology, and possible differential diagnoses.

For each framework, the possible direct role of the school or community psychologist is described and the network work that he or she must promote.

Basic knowledge in psychology and education

School psychology programs are based on basic knowledge of the main psychopathological disorders present in developmental age.

Evidence-based decision making:

The course has a practical approach and involves students in class discussions, on clinical cases and drafting coworking projects. Teaching is based on scientific evidence based on scientific literature, international, national and local guidelines. Themes relating to the organization of the school and care systems, development and implementation of policies and methods of collaboration between school and family are addressed. The course will also cover topics related to multicultural school psychology: how to work with children and families from culturally different communities.

Interpersonal skills:

Required predisposition to coworking for analysis and drafting of projects on clinical cases that will be presented in class.

Interview

During the courses, students are introduced to key interview techniques in different contexts and the methods needed to facilitate communication with students, school staff, families, community professionals and others. Students' knowledge and performance are assessed through the discussion of case studies, the discussion of scientific articles, oral/written exams and the implementation of work projects.

Consultation

During the courses, students are presented with techniques and methods of working in different situations (e.g. health promotion, psychological developmental diseases, learning disabilities) and the main consultation models and treatment and intervention techniques, as well as consultation techniques of group and individual. Students' knowledge and performance are assessed through the discussion of case studies, the discussion of scientific articles, oral/written exams and the implementation of work projects

Program:

Module 1 (Allegretti)

1. NPIA SERVICES IN THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION / INTERFACES AND NETWORK INTERVENTIONS

2. EATING AND NUTRITION DISORDERS

3. ADHD

4. SCHOOL RETREAT/SOCIAL RETREAT (HIKIKOMORI)

5. PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

6. DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS / BIPOLAR DISORDER / CYCLOTYMIA / SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

7. NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN MINORS (EPILEPSY, CP) clinical signs and learning-related disorders

8. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Module 2 (Suprani)

1. NORMAL DEVELOPMENT (stages of physiological development)

2. ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORY OF CHILD PSYCHIATRY - elements of continuity and discontinuity between developmental and adult ages

3. CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND NOSOGRAPHY – diagnostic tools (observation, interview, psychopathology tests and questionnaires – cognitive assessment)

4. INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

5. UNACCOMPANIED FOREIGN MINORS AND TRANSCULTURAL PSYCHIATRY

6. CONDUCT DISORDERS / SUBSTANCE USE-ABUSE

7. PERSONALITY DISORDERS / SELF-HARM

8. ANXIETY DISORDERS / OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER / SOMATIC AND RELATED DISORDERS

Readings/Bibliography

• Testo: Psichiatria dell’adolescente Aspetti clinici e metodologici della transizione, Rigon G., Diavoletto A., Aracne Editore, 2017
• Testo: Neurologia e psichiatria dello sviluppo, Ruggeri M., Franzoni E., Elsevier, 2012
• I disturbi psicopatologici nell’infanzia e nell’adolescenza. Inquadramento, setting e strategie di derivazione cognitivo-comportamentale. Un manuale con il sorriso. Giannetti L.M., Mazzarella C., Gaeta A.G., Francoangeli editore.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Presentation of clinical cases and tools to support evaluation and diagnosis

Assessment methods

Written exam.

The exam consists of the analysis of a clinical case that presents one of the pathologies covered in the course program.

For Erasmus students to take the exams in English.

Starting from the teaching material presented for the course, the analysis of the case requires the development of the following points:

1. DIAGNOSIS: what attention should be paid in general, elements of differential diagnosis, what individual and environmental elements to collect.

2. WORK PROJECT HYPOTHESIS: what concrete elements can the psychologist indicate to educators/teachers/parents

3. NETWORKING: what other actions can be implemented by the various other actors (NPI doctor, school manager/community manager).

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. Knowledge of the pathology presented in the clinical case

Points:

0-5 insufficient knowledge

6-7superficial knowledge

8-9 good specific knowledge

10 excellent specific knowledge

2. Diagnostic skills (general elements and specific aspects linked to the individual pathology)

Points:

0-5 insufficient knowledge

6-7superficial knowledge

8-9 good specific knowledge

10 excellent specific knowledge

3. Ability to recall concepts derived from the course study material by re-elaborating them into concrete indications (intervention project hypothesis)

Points:

0-5 insufficient knowledge

6-7superficial knowledge

8-9 good specific knowledge

10 excellent specific knowledge

Teaching tools

Testo Online: JM REY’S IACAPAP, e-Textbook of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Editors: Joseph M. Rey, MD, PhD, FRANZCP & Andrés Martin MD, MPH

Office hours

See the website of Mariella Allegretti

See the website of Michele Suprani