Overview

This module will concentrate on the development of students’ critical understanding of social and communication difficulties, and analyse the effect of such conditions on the social interaction skills and emotional and social development of children and young people by giving attention to the following:

1. What is communication and typical social and communication development?
2. Different kinds of social and communication difficulties.
3. Skill deficits in individuals with social and communication disorders.
4. Intervention programmes and strategies to support children and young people with social and communication disorders.
5. The impact of social and communication disorders on families.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold - D - Students should be able to present a satisfactory discussion of a social communication disorder and critically evaluate the current research related to an intervention that is appropriate for social communication disorders. They will be able to use their basic understanding to demonstrate how social communication disorders affect children and families and the short- and long-term implications of the difficulties on the development of children and young people.

-good -B - Students should be able to present a very good discussion of a social communication disorder and critically evaluate the current research related to an intervention that is appropriate for social communication disorders. They will be able to use their understanding to demonstrate how social communication disorders affect children and families and the short- and long-term implications of the difficulties on the development of children and young people.

-excellent - A - Students should be able to present an outstanding in-depth discussion of a social communication disorder and critically evaluate the current research related to an intervention that is appropriate for social communication disorders. They will be able to use their deep understanding to demonstrate how social communication disorders affect children and families and the short- and long-term implications of the difficulties on the development of children and young people.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse, discuss and critically reflect on their personal learning experiences and relating these to their own opinions and ideas on children and young people with social and communication difficulties and their effects on their emotional and social development.

• Appraise critically the research concerning interventions for social and communication disorders..

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of social and communication difficulties and their implications on children and young people and their families.

• Demonstrate critical understanding of the effect of social and communication difficulties on the social and emotional behaviour of children and young people, and the implications of this on their development within the family and society.

• Evaluate the methods of recognising, responding to and supporting the needs of children and young people with social and communication difficulties.