Foundational Theorist
Content Considerations 1
Definition and explanation of the atypical developmental issue that you are looking at:
What is the medical/psychological definition of the condition?
What are the main symptoms of the condition?
What characteristics of children make them susceptible?
Are there any other childhood developmental problems or illnesses which might have a similar symptomology?
What is the root cause of the condition?
Content Considerations 2
Specific physical, behavioural, social, emotional, and cognitive problems or deficits which are associated with this form of
atypical development:
Are there any physical or physiological problems associated with the disorder?
Are there any unusual behaviours associated with this disorder?
How frequently might these behaviours occur during a half hour observation?
What (if any) social, emotional or cognitive deficits/difficulties might a child suffering from this atypical development might exhibit?
Are there likely to be problems with attachment for the child? If so, how might these manifest themselves?
Is the child likely to have problems interacting with siblings or other children when playing?
Content Consideration 3
Testing and Assessment of cognitive and behavioural problems:
If you have noted any deficits /difficulties in (2) then you should consider how a particular problem or deficiency
could be tested or measured.
What are the best standard tests for a particular ability?
Are different tests needed e.g. a different ages, for different severities?
What methods are used to test and evaluate the child?
Content Considerations 4
Intervention, Therapy and Prognosis:
What about the impact of aging?
What are the recommended interventions or therapies that could be used to help this child?
What is the typical prognosis for a child who has the atypical development you are presenting on?
Consider the role of social workers. In what ways will social work be involved in supporting the child? How best
can a child with the disorder be supported by social work services?
Talk Should:
Describe your topic in detail-help us understand the hallmarks of the whatever condition/syndrome/etc you are discussing – what are the signs, symptoms, characteristics?
Consider prevalence (incidence) – and cause.
Related: How is the condition measured and diagnosed? Accurately?
What are the psychological consequences of developing atypically?
What deficits and strengths are associated? (How are they measured?)
What do we not know about the condition/syndrome?
What interventions are available to support? Evidence of efficacy of approach?
What is prognosis?
Why should social workers be interested or knowledgeable about this issue in childhood?
Include evidence-based content (i.e. research)
Talk Could:
Consider topic from perspective of developmental concepts & issues (see Rutter & Rutter and Bukatko & Daehler
reading)
Relate topic to content within LDA module (domains)
