Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence

COU PY521 - Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence

Credits: 3

This course provides an overall introduction to psychopathology and diagnostic clinical work with children and adolescents. It includes an overview of classification, the context of normal development, diagnostic procedures and techniques, issues of culture and diversity in regard to assessment and diagnosis, as well as some of the biological underpinnings of psychological development (genetics, temperament, etc.). Basic theoretical constructs from developmental psychodynamic, cognitive – behavioral, family systems and trauma perspectives are introduced to allow the student to generate hypotheses about clinical data in terms of etiology and treatment. DSM differential diagnosis is taught and the major disorders are covered, including, but not limited to: conduct, oppositional – defiant and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders; learning disabilities; anxiety and depression; narcissistic and borderline syndromes; pervasive developmental disorders, psychosis. Cross listed as CLI PY521, COU PY521, SCH PY521.