Neurodiversity & Health

The Neurodiversity & Health module (HLTH11006) will focus on:

1. the health needs of neurodivergent individuals, considering both physical and mental health needs across the lifespan and
2. access to appropriate, high quality physical and mental health care for neurodivergent individuals.

Students will interrogate the literature, and engage in critical discussion, to develop an applied understanding of how neurodiversity and health intersect across the lifespan, with consideration given to, among other factors, developmental stage, gender, and neurotype.

Students will critically explore the implications of the neurodiversity paradigm, the legislative context, affirmative care and trauma-informed care for how health services respond to the needs of neurodivergent individuals.  Students will also explore the potential of coproduction to contribute to improved health care for neurodivergent individuals.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

• To critically evaluate the implications of the neurodiversity paradigm for health care, including health care access, quality of care, and evidence-based practice.
• To demonstrate an applied/clinical understanding of how neurodivergence intersects with physical and mental health across the life span.
• To produce health-related resources (aimed at staff/professionals) that incorporate trauma-informed, affirmitive princples; increase the accessibility of services to neurodivergent individuals; improve the quality and appropriateness of care neurodivergent individuals receive; and identify relevant aspects of legislation and/or regulatory guidance.
• To produce health-related resources (aimed at patients/service users) that incorporate trauma-informed, affirmitive princples; increase the accessibility of services to neurodivergent individuals; and improve the quality and appropriateness of care neurodivergent individuals receive.
• To specify ways in which service development and patient resources can be co-produced, such that the physical and mental health needs of neurodivergent individuals can be better understood and met.

This module will be delivered solely online, through self-directed learning and weekly, online evening sessions.  The module is available as a standalone CPD module, or as part of the MSc Neurodiversity programme.

This is an SCQF Level 11 module and upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits.

To view the module descriptor, please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

All Neurodiversity CPD modules

• Introduction to Neurodiversity 
• Neuro-Inclusive Communication
• Neurodiversity, Culture and Families
• Neurodiversity & Technology
• Neurodiversity & Lifelong Learning
• Neurodiversity & Health

 

Delivery 

This module will be delivered via Distance Learning with live online sessions to be confirmed.

 

Course presenters

This module will be delivered by Niamh Skelly.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.