OVERVIEW

The training objectives of the course refer (through frontal teaching activities, presentations of clinical cases and exercises) to knowing, knowing how to do, knowing how to be related to the knowledge of neuropsychological functioning (functional mapping) in physiological development and in relation to the different specific pathologies of the developmental age as a basis for the planning of multidisciplinary habilitation / rehabilitation management according to a cognitive approach.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Know the main forms of disturbances in higher cognitive and cortical functions (dementias, aphasias, apraxias, agnosias, body schema disorders) and be able to evaluate their impact on neuromotor rehabilitation processes, as well as learn the main rehabilitation approaches aimed at allowing a recovery of altered neuropsychological functions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (DETAIL)

The teaching aims to:

- provide students with the basic notions concerning the neurobiological maturation processes underlying the development of language

- allow students to acquire the development of language in the different components with particular attention to the pragmatic-contextual component.

- develop students' knowledge of the bases of understanding and production of language, of the relationship between the development of oral language and the learning of reading and writing;

- develop in the students the knowledge concerning the evaluation tools and functioning profiles of the different functions and of the specific modules for each single neuropsychological function.

- develop in students the knowledge inherent in the subject's neuropsychological functioning (functional mapping) in physiological development and in relation to some specific psychopathological pictures of the developmental age.

- develop in students the knowledge concerning the differences between nosographic and functional / neuropsychological evaluation.

EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS

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

Know the neurobiological maturation processes underlying development and the concepts of neuroplasticity / functional recovery.
Know the different functions and specific modules for each single neuropsychological function;
Describe the development, organization and pathology of linguistic functions and their relationship with cognitive functions (perception, memory, attention) and with the learning of written language;
Explain the deficits / salient features and the assessment in different specific and non-developmental disorders (with particular attention to specific language and learning disorders and autism spectrum disorders).
Emphasize the positive effects in terms of delineation of the neuropsychological profile.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons are carried out in an interactive and participatory way by the students so that the experiences made can be correlated with the theory in question. Personal narration, confrontation in the classroom is used for this purpose.

The program is summarized through slides and supplemented by relevant videos.

Students with certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are encouraged to contact lecturers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns and provide suitable compensatory tools

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Neuropsychology of the developmental age

      Introduction Methodology

Neuropsychological evaluation in developmental age

Neuropsychology of Attention:

Selectivity and Intensivity Dimensions

Executive functions

Neuropsychology of Memory

- The development of memory

- The models of memory

Neuropsychology of Language

Neurobiological maturation processes underlying language development

The development of language in the different components with particular attention to the pragmatic-contextual component.

The assessment of communication and language.

I Specific or primitive disorders of language development: DSM 5 classification; ICD-10; Rapin and Allen classification.

Acquired speech disorders: Aphasias

Neuropsychology and Spectrum Disorders of the Autism Spectrum

neuropsychological theories: theory of mind, theory of weak central coherence, theory of impaired executive functions.

from cognitive, neuropsychological and behavioral assessment to multidisciplinary management.

Neuropsychology and Epilepsy

Neuropsychological profiles

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The exam will mainly focus on handouts, documents and articles provided by the teacher.

Recommended texts:

Vicari S., Caselli MC. (edited by), “Developmental Neuropsychology”, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2010.

Recommended reading

- Vicari S., Valeri G., Fava L., "Autism. From diagnosis to treatment, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students with DSA or other regularly certified special educational needs will be able to agree with the professor on the written or oral mode of the examination, by contacting professors at least 10 days before the exam. They will also be able to take advantage of 30 % additional time 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

When a student is a certified DSA, it is required to contact the Referring Teacher of the DISABILITY and DSA Commission for DINOGMI: Prof. N. Girtler (nicolagirtler@unige.it ) and evaluated the single case, he will send to the teachers the necessary directions both for  lessons development  and for modality of examination