Current Research in Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

The aim of this optional single module is for students to develop an advanced understanding of the current main questions in research on intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities (including autistic spectrum disorders) spanning biological, psychological and social approaches to research. This will provide broad foundations for students to embark on research in this area, and/or to practice clinically in a way that is directly informed by current research.

The course will be taught over 7 half day sessions, accompanied by Moodle online materials and relevant sessions in the MSc journal club. The module leads form one of England's leading centres for intellectual disability research: their contributions are augmented by a range of outside speakers from around the country.

Module Leaders

Dr Afia Ali

Afia Ali is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Division of Psychiatry and a consultant psychiatrist in learning disabilities in the Waltham Forest learning disabilities service. She is a graduate of the UCL MSc in Psychiatric Research (precursor of the current course), following which she was supported to complete a PhD by the Medical Research Council. Her research interests include stigma and discrimination and the well-being of people with intellectual disability.

Dr Rory Sheehan

Module Contents

Research in the following areas will be covered:

• Current models and classifications of intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Epidemiology and risk factors for intellectual disability
• Epidemiology and risk factors for autistic spectrum disorders
• Intellectual disability and mental health: current understanding
• The genetics of intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Neurocognitive research in intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Psychological, social and medical interventions in intellectual and developmental disabilities: current evidence
• Research on service delivery and service improvement for intellectual and developmental disorders
• Service user and carer experiences of living with intellectual disabilities.

Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes are:

• Students will be able to appraise papers based on biological, psychological and social approaches to research on intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Students will be able to suggest approaches to managing clinical problems in intellectual and developmental disabilities and to addressing challenges in service delivery based on an up-to-date understanding of research findings in these fields.
• Students will be able to able to identify the key questions motivating current research on the aetiology and management of intellectual and developmental disabilities and to explain how these are being addressed.
• Students will be able to suggest ways of addressing research questions relating to the aetiology and management of intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities.