AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

• provide students with basic knowledge of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry;

• offer a general understanding of the interaction between biological, psychological, familial, and socio-environmental factors in developmental psychopathology;

• introduce the main topics related to neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence, with particular focus on intellectual disabilities, complex disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and other psychiatric conditions in developmental age;

• develop students' skills in observation and assessment during developmental stages, as well as their competence in comprehensive and multidisciplinary care, and in designing targeted interventions to promote early identification and prevention of disorders.

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• understand the basic principles of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry and the interplay between biological, psychological, familial, and socio-environmental factors;

• identify and describe the core features of major childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly intellectual disabilities, complex disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and other psychiatric conditions;

• classify the main clinical forms;

• understand the principles of comprehensive care in Child Neuropsychiatry, especially in the context of disability and psychological distress, in order to plan therapeutic and habilitative interventions;

• recognize the disorders discussed, particularly in their early stages;

• accurately describe associated signs and symptoms;

• apply the main diagnostic criteria, observation methods, and assessment tools;

• critically evaluate etiopathogenetic factors involved in each case;

• differentiate these disorders from other similar conditions (differential diagnosis);

• build the foundation for a therapeutic-rehabilitative plan and outline the core principles of multidisciplinary care;

• explain the intended intervention strategy to families and, when possible, to children and adolescents;

• identify interfering factors in the assessment and therapeutic process and understand how to manage their impact.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is delivered through oral lectures, supported by slides and case-based discussion. Active student participation is encouraged. Clinical cases and practical examples may be used to support the understanding of core neuropsychiatric concepts related to developmental age.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Psychomotor and emotional-relational development in childhood and adolescence

• Epilepsy and febrile seizures: general overview, pediatric epilepsy syndromes, febrile seizures, treatment approaches, and psychological implications

• Cerebral palsy: clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, and therapeutic management

• Intellectual disabilities: clinical framework, etiopathogenesis, care strategies, associated syndromes, and psychological phenotypes; pseudo-intellectual disability and pseudonormal profiles

• Complex disabilities: diagnostic and care challenges

• Family-centered care and multidisciplinary coordination

• Autism spectrum disorders and related conditions: etiology, classification, clinical features, and comprehensive care

• ADHD (with or without hyperactivity); Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Eating Disorders, Tic Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Somatoform Disorders

• Child abuse and maltreatment: recognition and clinical implications

• General principles of management and care for disability and mental health difficulties in child and adolescent neuropsychiatry

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Maurizio De Negri, Developmental Neuropsychopathology, Piccin, Padua, 1999.

• Lecture slides provided by the instructor as supplementary and updated materials.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester – starting from April 2019

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam. The final grade, expressed in thirtieths, is based on the student’s level of knowledge and the quality of the training acquired.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam is designed to verify the achievement of the expected learning outcomes: the ability to apply knowledge using practical tools, communication skills demonstrated through the oral examination, an introduction to interdisciplinary work and role-specific responsibilities, and the development of insight through experiential learning.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The course takes place in the second semester of the second year and is delivered through frontal lectures supported by slide presentations, video materials, and interactive discussions. Teaching materials are provided by the instructor and made available on the AulaWeb platform.

Students with certified Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs are encouraged to contact both the Departmental representative, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the course instructor at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching methods and, if necessary, exam arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives, take into account individual learning styles and allow for the use of compensatory and/or dispensatory tools as recognized by the University’s SLD Student Support Service.