Module Descriptors
AUTISTIC SPECTRUM CONDITIONS
PSYC60293
Key Facts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Level 6
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 22
Independent Study Hours: 128
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Students must be registered on any Psychology award.
Module Resources
Journal articles
Blackboard access via the internet
Blackboard access via the internet
Module Texts
Attwood, T. (2006). The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Bowler, D. (2007). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Psychological Theory and Research. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Frith, U. (2003). Autism: Explaining the Enigma (2nd ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Volkmar, F. R., Paul, R., Klin, A., & Cohen, D. (Eds.). (2005a). Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Volume 1: Diagnosis, Development, Neurobiology, and Behavior (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Volkmar, F. R., Paul, R., Klin, A., & Cohen, D. (Eds.). (2005b). Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Volume 2: Assessment, Interventions, and Policy (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Bowler, D. (2007). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Psychological Theory and Research. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Frith, U. (2003). Autism: Explaining the Enigma (2nd ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Volkmar, F. R., Paul, R., Klin, A., & Cohen, D. (Eds.). (2005a). Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Volume 1: Diagnosis, Development, Neurobiology, and Behavior (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Volkmar, F. R., Paul, R., Klin, A., & Cohen, D. (Eds.). (2005b). Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Volume 2: Assessment, Interventions, and Policy (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Module Learning Strategies
A series of 11 lectures followed by discussions and debates. In classes about two thirds of the time will be spent on lectures (16.5 hours) and one third of the time on other class activities (5.5 hours). Formative learning will take place through class based activities, for example, question and answer sessions and discussion of reading materials. The remainder of the study hours on the module will be spent reading for each session and researching and writing the assignment.
Module Additional Assessment Details
An ESSAY length 3000 words weighted at 100%. The choice of one essay title contributing to 100% of the overall module mark, assessing outcomes 1-4.
Formative assessment will be in the form of practice essay questions which can be prepared at home and discussed in the class activity sessions
Formative assessment will be in the form of practice essay questions which can be prepared at home and discussed in the class activity sessions
Module Indicative Content
Several key areas in current psychological theories of autism will be considered. The theories and research in these areas will be examined and evaluated. The main areas covered will be
Theory of Mind and False Beliefs; Emotion and interaction; Executive Function; Weak Central Coherence Theory; Attention, Perception and Understanding.
These areas are the main topics in current psychological theoretical approaches to Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The theories will attempt to explain what is thought to be the underlying difficulties in ASD, the Triad of Impairment - difficulties in social interactions, difficulties in communication, and difficulties in imagination.
Theory of Mind and False Beliefs; Emotion and interaction; Executive Function; Weak Central Coherence Theory; Attention, Perception and Understanding.
These areas are the main topics in current psychological theoretical approaches to Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The theories will attempt to explain what is thought to be the underlying difficulties in ASD, the Triad of Impairment - difficulties in social interactions, difficulties in communication, and difficulties in imagination.