69991 - Developmental Psychopathology.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the training activity, the student:

• Knows the main psychopathological aspects of childhood and adolescence.
• Is able to classify clinical issues into diagnostically defined syndromes.
• Knows the role of organic factors in the production of symptoms and disorders in developmental age.

Course contents

The Developmental Psychopathology course takes place during the 1st semester (from October 2018 to November 2018). Lectures are held at the Cesena (FC) campus of the School of Psychology and Education, Piazza Aldo Moro 90.

The course will cover the main psychopathological frameworks of childhood and adolescence, with a specific focus on Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The most recent scientific developments in the field of assessment and evidence-based treatments will be presented, primarily those with a cognitive-behavioral orientation, with the objective of providing:

• Knowledge of the role of biological, psychological, family, and environmental factors in the onset and maintenance of developmental disorders.
• Knowledge and ability to administer and interpret key clinimetric assessment tools (clinical interviews, questionnaires, inventories, rating scales).
• Knowledge of the main diagnostic systems, integrating evaluation within a bio-psycho-social perspective.
• Knowledge of clinical-psychological intervention techniques in terms of psychological support, therapeutic indications, efficacy studies, and applicability to different care contexts.

Each developmental disorder covered during lectures will be followed by an interactive discussion of clinical cases.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended Textbook:

• Lambruschi Furio, "Psicoterapia cognitiva dell'età evolutiva. Procedure di assessment e strategie psicoterapeutiche". Edizioni Bollati Boringhieri 2014.

• Chapter 1 (Overview): Paragraph 1.3 “Attachment and construction of the Self”
• Chapter 2: Descriptive diagnoses and explanatory diagnoses in Developmental Age
• Chapter 11: Anxiety disorders
• Chapter 12: Obsessive-compulsive disorders, Motor tics (excluding stuttering)
• Chapter 13: Mood disorders
• Chapter 15: Conduct disorders and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Chapter 17: Clinical framework and management of ADHD
• Chapter 21: Specific Learning Disorders

Diagnostic Manuals:

• DSM-5: Chapter “Autism Spectrum Disorders”
• ICD-10: Chapter “Pervasive Developmental Disorders”
• PSYCHOSIS:

• DSM-5: Chapter “Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders”
• ICD-10: Chapter “Schizophrenia, Schizotypal and Delusional Disorders”

• FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS:

• DSM-5: Chapter “Feeding and Eating Disorders”
• ICD-10 (F50): Eating Disorders

Further/In-depth Readings:

• SINPIA 2005 Guidelines on Depressive Disorders in Developmental Age.
• SINPIA 2007 National Consensus Conference: Therapeutic indications and strategies for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Cagliari, March 6-7, 2003.
• ISS Guidelines (01/10/2025): Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD in developmental age and adulthood.
• Consensus Conference "Specific Learning Disorders" National System for Guidelines 2010.
• Guidelines on the management of Specific Learning Disorders (2022), Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) within the National System for Guidelines.

Additional texts or articles from national or international journals may be specified during lectures

Teaching methods

• Lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations.

Presentation of clinical cases

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists of a written exam comprising 30 multiple-choice questions. One point is awarded for each correct answer; the final grade is the sum of the scores obtained.

To take the exam, registration via the Almaesami platform is mandatory, strictly respecting the scheduled deadlines. Students who fail to register due to technical issues by the due date must promptly report the problem to the student administration office (and in any case before the official closure of the registration lists).

Teaching tools

Slides and video projector

Office hours

See the website of Daniela Fabbri

See the website of Riccarda D'Angelo