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Infant Observation and Assessment Skills (PSYT90081)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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This subject will introduce students to the skills of observation of infant and toddler behaviour and communication and family interactions. The method of infant observation as developed by Esther Bick, and the application of the Bick Method of infant observation in mental health and psychotherapeutic practice will be addressed.
Intended learning outcomes
- To prepare students for the theoretical, ethical and practical aspects of undertaking of an infant observation according to the Bick method in preparation for the second year subjects Infant Observation 1 and Infant Observation 2.
- To demonstrate interviewing and assessment skills needed for clinical practice with infants and toddlers at different ages
- To demonstrate the different modalities of communication that can be used to directly engage infants in a clinical situation (e.g., gesture and play)
- To demonstrate the use of videotaping of clinical interviews to assist in articulating observations in clinical settings.
Generic skills
Students will be able to:
- Devise a plan for identifying and engaging an expectant family willing to volunteer for their infant to be observed as part of the subjects: Infant Observation 1&2
- Select appropriate techniques for engaging infants and their families in the clinical setting taking into account the infant’s developmental stage and parent’s capacities
- Elicit salient information and take a systematic history of an infant mental health problem in the clinical setting.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Clinical experience in a child health or mental health or child welfare setting.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Reflective essay incorporating a plan for an infant observation of 2,500 words due end of semester (worth 50%)
- Case study of 2,500 words due end of semester (worth 50%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Bick, E. (1987) Notes on Infant Observation in Psychoanalytic Training. Collected Papers of Martha Harris and Esther Bick. M. H. Clunie Press. London.
- Thomson-Salo, F, and Paul, C. (2007) The Baby as Subject, New Direction in Infant-Parent Therapy from the Royal Children’s Hospital. 2nd edition, Melbourne:, Stonnington Press.
- Thomson-Salo F, Paul C, Morgan A, Jones S, Jordan B, Meehan M, Morse S & Walker A (1999). Free to be playful: therapeutic work with infants. Infant Observation: The International Journal of Infant Observation and it’s Applications, 3 (1), 47-62.
- Subject notes
It is required that applicants have a Working With Children Check before commencing this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Mental Health Science
Last updated: 3 November 2022