Presentation and Assessment of Children with Special Educational Needs course for Medical Doctors

This session provides a developmental approach with which to assess children who are having behavioural or academic trouble at school. A case study will illustrate the process.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe an approach to making sense of the child's difficulties in a holistic way
• Include how information on biological, environmental and emotional factors can be evaluated in the context of special educational needs (SEN)
• Recognise the meaning of non-specific presentations: withdrawal, clowning, negative/oppositional behaviour
• Use the 4 'P's (predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective) and the biopsychosocial approach in evaluating a child with complex problems

This session uses self assessments that help you check what you have learnt. You do not have to use them and your answers are not seen by anyone else.