Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Assessment and Formulation in Infant Mental Health

• Unit Code

  IMH5005

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit introduces students to a framework for assessing the nature of the infant parent relationship(s), developmental strengths and capacities for change. Students will conduct formal and informal assessments of expectant parents and infants and their caregivers. The unit will develop student capacity to interpret and synthesise the information and to communicate strengths, needs, and capacities back to families with formulations that guide clinical practice.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must have passed IMH5001.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply evidence based relational assessment and diagnostic tools to a range of presentations from pregnancy through infancy.
2. Conduct assessment by structured and unstructured testing and use of and diagnostic tools, including selection of assessment, administration and interpretation in an Infant Mental Health (IMH) context.
3. Create and communicate collaborative formulations in an IMH context that include strengths, capacities, needs and progress of the infant and family/caregiver.
4. Develop plans for intervention that have clearly identifiable goals and objectives.

Unit Content

1. Context and principles of assessment.
2. Process of assessment.
3. Clinical formulation.
4. Psychosocial Developmental History.
5. Assessment parent-infant interaction.
6. Developmental Assessment.
7. Assessment of the parent-infant relationship.
8. Assessment in high risk contexts.
9. Assessment of grief/loss/ trauma.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures & seminars.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ Mares, S., Newman, L., & Warren, B. (2011). Clinical skills in infant mental health: The first three years (2nd ed.). Camberwell, Victoria: ACER Press.
• ^ Zero to Three (2005). Diagnostic classification of mental health and developmental disorders of infancy and early childhood: DC:0-3R (Rev. ed.). Washington, WA: National Center for Clinical Infant Programs.
• Zeanah, C. H., Jr. (Ed.). (2009). Handbook of infant mental health (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
• Emde, R. (2006). Culture, diagnostic assessment, and identity: Defining concepts. Infant Mental Health Journal, 27(6), 606-611.
• Brazelton, T. B., & Sparrow, J. (2006). Touchpoints: Birth to three. Cambridge, MA: De Capo Press.
• George, C., et al. (2011). Incorporating attachment assessment into custody evaluations: The case of a 2-year-old and her parents. Family Court Review, 49(3), 483-500.

^ Mandatory reference

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