Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Taught)

The postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a joint programme between NSPC and Middlesex University, leading to a PGCert awarded by Middlesex University. This one-year course is entirely online.

The programme aims to:

• Provide students with the neurobiology, psychology, and sociology theory necessary for understanding and helping people with ADHD.

• Explore the concepts of the social disability model, neurodiversity, and neuro-affirmation, and how they relate to ADHD academic theories, research, and services.

• Examine and critique developmental theories and the experience of people with ADHD and neurodivergent people across the lifespan.

• Instil the ability to critically evaluate evidence and to apply it to practical issues raised by people with ADHD.

• Develop the ability to apply theoretical understanding to practice.

• Deepen student’s knowledge of, and their ability to apply, accurate and appropriate interpersonal, ethical and cultural sensitivity, and empathic understanding.

1. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Students will explore ADHD from a medical and neuro-affirmative perspective, considering the tensions between these viewpoints. Students will learn about the different presentations of ADHD and consider the lived experience of people with ADHD. It also aims to provide a comprehensive account of contemporary knowledge about the causes, possible treatments, and supportive strategies for people with ADHD. The student to be able to combine these personal and scientific perspectives.

The summative assessment for this module includes a 1000-word case study and a 1500-word theoretical essay.

2. Neuropsychological and neurobiological approaches to atypical development

This module aims to provide all the necessary biological and psychosocial knowledge for a student to be able to read and understand the scientific literature on the causes, development, and lived experience of neurodevelopmental conditions. Giving students a foundational knowledge base, that also assists completion of other modules of the course. The module will critically examine the research into neurodevelopmental conditions, including from a neuro-affirmative perspective.

The summative assessment for this module includes a 2000-word theoretical essay.

3. Development Through the Life Span

Autism, ADHD and neurodivergence involves issues of development and within this module students will critically consider developmental theories, including how physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development interact. The module will examine traditional concepts of development and developmental theory and critically evaluate these in relation to the experience of neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan. As well as considering non-normative ideas of development and existential reflections on the purpose of development as an unfolding project.

The summative assessment for this module includes a 2000-word theoretical essay.

And one of the following:

4. Social, cultural, and ethical issues

This module will cover cultural variations, and the impact of social organisation and culture on morals, values, and social expectation. It will enable students to make appropriate decisions about consent, confidentiality, discrimination, exploitation, fairness, duty of care, and other ethical and moral quandaries in professional practice.

The summative assessment for this module includes a 2000-word theoretical essay.

OR

5. Research Methods Module

This module will provide an understanding of the contribution of research to the growth of knowledge and the effectiveness of practice. It will give the student a grounding in research approaches, with particular attention to the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative approaches.

The summative assessment for this module includes writing a 2000-word research proposal.

OR

6. Intellectual Disabilities

Students will learn about the presentations and aetiology of intellectual disability or impairment and the impact of these on the individual. It also looks at co-morbidity of intellectual impairment with other neurodevelopmental conditions and effective support and services for individuals. The module will also consider the social model of disability, as well as examining the importance of neuro-affirmative approaches. Students will also consider related issues such as the criminal justice system and safeguarding.

The summative assessment for this module includes a 2000-word theoretical essay.