70008 - Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Childhood and Adolescence

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe the processes of brain maturation underlying the development of cognitive and affective functions; explain the mechanisms of brain plasticity that support functional recovery; discuss the main neuropsychological rehabilitation approaches for cognitive and affective disorders in childhood.

Course contents

The course is offered during the first semester (September–December 2026) and is intended for second-year students enrolled in the Master's Degree Programme. Classes are held at the Cesena Campus of the Department of Psychology, Aula Europa 1, Viale Europa 115.

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the major processes underlying the development of the nervous system and the mechanisms of brain plasticity during development, as well as the neuropsychological models of neurodevelopmental disorders and the main approaches to neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation.

The course is organized into two teaching modules:

Module 1 (Prof. Candini)

This module introduces the prenatal and postnatal development of the central nervous system and the mechanisms of brain plasticity during development. It also examines the main theoretical models and rehabilitation approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as neuropsychological aspects of executive function and memory disorders in children and adolescents.

Module 2 (Prof. Muccinelli)

This module focuses on the rehabilitation of learning difficulties, including reading, mathematics, handwriting, and spelling, considered both as specific learning disorders and as components of more complex neurodevelopmental conditions. It also addresses bilingualism and the role of praxis and visuoperceptual difficulties in the assessment and treatment of learning disorders.

Readings/Bibliography

Course Reading List Module 1

La mente autistica. Le risposte della ricerca scientifica all'enigma dell'autismo. di G. Vivanti, (2021) Hogrefe.

L'autismo nei primi anni di vita. Ricerca, valutazione e trattamento. A cura di K. Chawarska e F.R. Volkmar, (2024) Hogrefe (in particolare i capitoli: 3 e 4).

Le funzioni esecutive nei disturbi del neurosviluppo. Dalla valutazione all'intervento. A cura di Marzocchi, Pecini, Usai e Viterbori, (2022) Hogrefe (in particolare i capitoli: 1, 2, 10 e 11). 

Recommended reading

Frith, U. (2009). Autismo: Spiegazione di un enigma, Laterza.

Module 2

Vio, C., & Tressoldi, P. E. (2022). Il trattamento dei Disturbi Specifici dell’Apprendimento. Erickson. Required chapters: 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.

Recommended reading:

Vio, C., & Tressoldi, P. E. (2022). Il trattamento dei Disturbi Specifici dell’Apprendimento. Erickson. Chapters: 7, 9, 13, and 15.

Additional Course Materials

In addition to the required readings, selected scientific articles relevant to the course topics will be assigned and discussed during the lectures.

Lecture slides are intended to supplement, not replace, the required readings. They will be made available after each class on the University of Bologna's Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, clinical cases complemented with media contents such as powerpoint slides and videos will be presented.

Assessment methods

The assessment is designed to evaluate whether students have achieved the following learning objectives:

• demonstrate knowledge of the processes of brain development and the mechanisms of brain plasticity that support functional recovery during development;

• demonstrate knowledge of the main neuropsychological rehabilitation approaches for cognitive, behavioural, and affective disorders in children and adolescents, together with their theoretical rationale.

The assessment consists of a 90-minute written examination comprising four open-ended questions: three questions covering the content of Module 1 and one question covering Module 2. Answers to each question must not exceed 20 lines.

The maximum score is 30/30. To achieve the highest mark, students are expected to provide accurate and comprehensive answers to the theoretical questions and demonstrate the ability to relate the clinical features of the major neurodevelopmental disorders to appropriate neuropsychological rehabilitation approaches. Each question is worth a maximum of 30 points. The final grade is calculated as the average of the scores obtained for the four questions. Grades range from 18/30 (minimum passing grade) to 30/30: 

- Comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; ability to perform independent critical analysis and establish meaningful connections among concepts; full command of the discipline-specific terminology; excellent argumentation and critical reflection skills (30–30 with honors).

- Good knowledge of a broad range of topics covered in the course; ability to perform independent critical analysis; good command of the discipline-specific terminology (25–29)

- Knowledge of a limited range of topics covered in the course; ability to carry out independent analysis only with respect to straightforward or procedural issues; appropriate use of scientific language (20-24).

- Knowledge of a very limited range of topics covered in the course; analytical ability demonstrated only with the support of the examiner; overall appropriate use of scientific language (18-19)

During the examination, the use of textbooks, notes, electronic devices, or any other supporting materials is not permitted.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools during the examination is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of the University's academic integrity policy.

Students must register for the examination through the University's online examination registration system within the published deadlines. Students who experience technical difficulties preventing registration must promptly notify the Academic Office and email Prof. Candini before the registration deadline. Admission to the examination under these circumstances is at the discretion of the course instructor.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ( [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students] ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

 

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, Video Clips, scientific articles

Office hours

See the website of Michela Candini

See the website of Michela Muccinelli