Clinical PsychologyClinical Psychology
Related links
Continuing professional development courses

Understanding Learning Disability (Intellectual Disability)

This course aims to increase understanding of the issues underpinning services to people with a learning disability.

Course DatesSemester 1
Course Credits20
Course DeliveryOnline
Academic Co-ordinatorKaren McKenzie

Course Description

Providing a high-quality service to people with a learning disability requires a critical understanding of the context and values in which the service operates.

The course will begin by analysing the definition of learning disability and what it means to those to whom this label is applied in terms of their cognitive capacities.

We will then critically appraise the communication needs of people with a learning disability and examine how communication can be improved by interventions at individual, environmental and organisational levels.

We will build on this knowledge through an examination of the social and policy context within which learning disability is defined and the way this has shaped service provision over time.

These factors also shape the value base that underpins service provision and the balance that must be struck between promoting choice for people with a learning disability and fulfilling our duty of care.

We will investigate how improving knowledge and understanding of learning disability can contribute to getting this balance right.

The aim of the course is to equip those working in a range of professional and voluntary settings with the knowledge, skills and value base to critically appraise their own practice and adapt it to meet the individual support needs of the people with a learning disability they work with.

Course Delivery & Assessment

This course will run in Semester 1 (September-December). It is delivered entirely online.

Entry Requirements

Participants should have current or recent experience of working with people with a learning disability. Further guidelines for likely acceptance onto the programme can be found on the entry requirements page:

Please note: arranging this experience is the responsibility of the student. The programme team cannot provide this experience.

Application Form

There are separate application forms for i) the standard CPD route or ii) the Academic Credit route. Please decide whether you wish to take the course for academic credit when applying, and complete the relevant application form. These can be downloaded at the CPD applications page:

Alternatively, paper copies can be requested from the CPD Secretary:

  • Lorna Sheal
  • Programme Secretary
  • Medical School
  • Teviot Place
  • Edinburgh EH8 9AG
  • Work: +44 (0)131 651 3970
Email:

This article was published on Dec 11, 2012


Accessibility menu