Developmental Learning And Behavioural Disorders In Children And Adolescents Level 3 Certificate Course

There are 9 lessons:

1. Nature and Scope of Developmental Disorders - Mental Retardation/learning disability

• Classification of Childhood Disorders
• Causes of Developmental Disorders- Genetic Factors, Physical Factors, Environmental Factors
• A General Overview of the Diagnosis of Developmental Disorders
• The Prevalence of Developmental Disorders in the General Population
• The Impact on the Families and Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disorders
• Mental Retardation (Learning Disability)
• Co-morbid Disorders

2. Autism - Autistic Disorder signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Causes of Autism
• Definition of Autism
• The Signs and Symptoms of Autism
• Impaired Social Development & Interactions
• Abnormal Communication
• Repetitive Behaviour
• Other Problems
• The Other Side of the Coin
• Causes of Autism
• History of the Perception of Autism
• Prevalence & Course of Autism in the General Population
• The Autism Spectrum
• Issues Facing Children and Adolescents with Autism
• The Impact of Autism on the Family
• Treatments for Children and Adolescents with Autism
• How Parents/Carers and Practitioners can Support Children with Autism
• Supportive Services for Children and Adolescents with Autism

3. Asperger's Disorder - signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Definition of Asperger’s Disorder
• The Signs and Symptoms of Asperger’s Disorder
• 1) Impaired Social Interactions
• 2) Repetitive Behaviour
• Causes of Asperger’s Disorder
• The History of Asperger’s Disorder
• The Prevalence & Course of Asperger’s Disorder in the General Population
• Asperger’s Disorder and Autism – The Autism Spectrum
• The Impact of Asperger’s Disorder on the Child or Adolescent
• The Impact of Asperger’s Disorder on the Family
• Treatments Available for Children and Adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder
• How Parents/Carers and Practitioners can Support Children with Asperger’s Disorder
• Supportive Services Available for Children with Asperger’s Disorder and Their Family

4. Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Developmental Disorders NOS) signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Definition of Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Rett’s Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified
• Causes of Developmental Disorders
• A General View on How Developmental Disorders are Diagnosed
• The Impact of Developmental Disorders on the Child or Adolescent
• The Impact on the Family of the Child or Adolescent with Developmental Disorders

5. Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders - ADHD & variants, signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Signs & Symptoms of ADHD
• 1) Features of Inattention
• 2) Features of Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
• 3) Settings
• Causes of ADHD
• Historical Background of ADHD
• Prevalence & Course of ADHD
• Treatment of ADHD
• Support Available
• Factors that can Aggravate ADD or ADHD Symptoms
• The Impact of ADD and ADHD on the Child or Adolescent
• The Impact on the Family of a Child with ADD or ADHD

6. Conduct Disorders (Include oppositional defiant disorder) signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Definition of Conduct Disorder
• Signs and Symptoms of Conduct Disorders
• Causes of Conduct Disorders
• Prevalence & Course of Conduct Disorders in the General Population
• Definition of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Signs and Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Causes of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Prevalence & Course of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in the General Population
• Anti-Social Personality Disorder (APD)
• Treatments Available for Conduct Disorders
• Support for Families and Children with Conduct Disorders
• The Impact of Conduct Disorders on Children
• The Impact on the Family of Having a Child with a Conduct Disorder
• How Parents/Carers and Practitioners can Support Children with Conduct Disorders

7. Learning Disorders - focus on academia (Mathematics, Reading Disorder - Dyslexia, etc.) signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Specific Developmental Disorders
• Definition of Learning Disorders
• Reading Disorder (Developmental Dyslexia)
• Disorder of Written Expression (Specific Spelling Disorder)
• Mathematics (Arithmetic) Disorder

8. Communications Disorders & Motor Skills Disorder - focus on speech and language signs, symptoms, treatment and support

• Definition of Communication Disorders
• Causes of Communication Disorders
• Phonological Disorder
• Expressive Language Disorder
• Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder
• Stuttering
• Motor Skills Disorder
• Impact on the Child and Family of Communication Disorders

9. Special Project (choose something of interest to the student) signs, symptoms, treatment and support

Please note: Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Your learning experience with ADL will not only depend on the quality of the course, but also the quality of the person teaching it. This course is taught by Iona Lister and your course fee includes unlimited tutorial support throughout. Here are Iona's credentials:

Iona Lister
Licentiate, Speech and Language Therapy, UK, Diploma in Advanced Counselling Skills.

Iona has been a clinician and manager of health services for fifteen years, and a trainer for UK-based medical charities, focusing on psychosocial issues, mental health disorders, and also the promotion of communication skills for people in helping roles. She tutors and facilitates groups via workshops and teleconferences, and now specialises in Sight Loss. As a freelance writer, she contributes regular feature articles for magazines, has written five published books, as well as published courses relating to personal development and counselling skills.

Iona has also written published books, courses and articles across a wide range of subjects, mostly in the areas of health, counselling, psychology, crafts and wildlife.

She has drawn experience from clinical and managerial experience within the NHS as well as medical and humanitarian subjects. She has been a regular feature writer and expert panel member of a national magazine for six years.

Books include: A Guide to Living with Alzheimer's Disease (and associated dementias), The Psychology of Facial Disfigurement; a Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals, When a Medical Skin Condition Affects the Way you Look; A Guide to Managing Your Future, Facing Disfigurement with Confidence, Cross Stitch: A Guide to Creativity and Success for Beginners.
Courses written include: Mental Health and Social Work, Counselling Skills, Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse, Journalling for Personal Development, Guided Imagery, Stress Management.

Current work includes: Tutor: Courses associated with Creative Writing, Counselling Skills, Psychology, Holistic Therapy, Certified Hypnotherapist and Hypnotension Practitioner.

Facilitator of Teleconference Groups: Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

Trainer (Skills for Seeing): Macular Society

Reviewer of Books/Information: Macmillan Cancer Support

Fundraiser: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Embroidery/Art Groups Facilitator, Board Member

Website Manager: The Strathcarron Project, Coordinator (Delaware & Tennessee) Human Writes