AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to

- identify the basic notions of Developmental Psychopathology and Child Neuropsychiatry

- To explain the main disorders at risk for a psychopathological trajectory at the pediatric age and the main psychopathological conditions in the field of Child Neuropsychiatry

- To introduce and illustrate the basic elements of the emotional-relational development in normal conditions and in poor environmental context, for an early recognition of possible deviations and for their prevention

- comprehend the interaction between biological, psychological, family and socio-environmental aspects

- implement the ability to observe and evaluate developmental age skills, in a global and multidisciplinary management, and propose interventions on sectoral problems, also to activate an early recognition of the disorders and their prevention

- To identify and outline the main etiological, pathophysiological and clinical elements of Attentional Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tic Disorders

-To analyze the main symptoms and clinical problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety and Mood disorders, psychosis, Somatoform disorders in developmental age

- To differentiate the clinical characteristics of mental health problems in childhood / adolescence, with particular attention to Eating Disorders and Behavioral Disruptive Disorders

- To enable the students to acquire the general principles of “taking care” in the neuropsychiatric field and the importance of integrated treatment and team work

EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS 

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

• Distinguish and outline the main psychopathological disturbances in the field of childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatry, and the peculiarities related to the cognitive and emotional-relational development

• Distinguish and classify the Childhood Anxiety Disorders, the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, "Early onset schizophrenia " and " Very Early-onset Schizophrenia ", 
  - To know, evaluate and compare the “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”, “Oppositional-Defiant Disorder and “Conduct Disorder”
• Classify Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome
• To recognize the different types of headache and the possible related psychological aspects 
• To apply and explain the general principles of “taking care” in the neuropsychiatric field and the importance of integrated treatment and team work
• To know the main principles of drug therapy  in the pediatric psychopathological disturbances 

TEACHING METHODS

The class includes frontal lessons for a total of 10 hours and with the use of slides.

Students with Specific Learning Disorder, disability or other special educational needs certification are strongly encouraged to contact the teachers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching methods which, respecting the teaching objectives, should consider individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory instruments.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Emotional development
Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome
Psychopathological disorders in Intellectual Disabilities
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Bahaviour Disorders 
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Functional Movement Disorders and Somatoform Disorders
Infantile Cerebral Palsy and related psychological disorders
Epilepsy and associated psychological disorders
Learning Disabilities
Mood, Bipolar and Anxiety Disorders in pediatric age
Anorexia and other Eating Disorders

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Maurizio de Negri “Neuropsichiatria dello sviluppo” Ed. Piccin, Padova, 1999.

Slides of lessons, to supplement the text.

Roberto Militerni “Neuropsichiatria Infantile”. Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi.

Manuale diagnostico e statistico dei disturbi mentali, quinta edizione