Neurodiversity through the Lifespan

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Professor Almuth McDowall
• Assessment: a 2500-word case study evaluation (100%)

In this module we introduce you to the concept of neurodiversity from a critical perspective. Different neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and dyslexia will be considered from development in early infancy through to life outcomes across different domains including work and health. Existing diagnostic criteria and assessment processes will be problematised through a transdiagnostic prism.

The assessment will be in-depth case examination of lived experience, and potential treatment and adjustments.

Indicative syllabus

• Neurodiversity: the research and the movement through a historical perspective: clinical/health, learning and acquired conditions
• Developmental trajectories: autism
• Developmental trajectories: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Developmental trajectories: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia
• Transdiagnostic mapping
• Emotions, relationships and neurodiversity
• Lived experience
• Treatment approaches

By the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate:

• critique of the neurodiversity paradigm and movement
• reflection on terminology, language and identity in this field
• an understanding of how neurocognitive conditions present across developmental trajectories
• identification of common challenges such as executive functioning, specific markers such as special interests but also neurodivergent strengths
• in-depth understanding of exemplar neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• engagement with exemplars of lived experience and lived evidence
• a broad understanding of treatment approaches
• critique and synthesis of relevant research orally and in writing
• reflection on your own learning, biases, motivations and assumptions regarding this topic.