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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Wellbeing across the lifespan 1
Module Code NUR1003 (ITS: NS263)
Faculty Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

Over the course of this module the student will examine the biopsychosocial development of children and acquire an understanding of the factors that can adversely and positively affect that development. The student will be expected to identify and evaluate the range and type of services and interventions that support the development of a child/adolescent with intellectual disability.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the psycho-social and cognitive development of children and adolescents with intellectual disability drawing on the relevant theory from psychology, sociology and lifespan development.
2. Supporting the needs of the family of the individual with intellectual disability.
3. Recognise relevant legislation that underpins the provision of education, health and social supports to children with intellectual disabilities and their families.
4. Examine the delivery of nursing care and MDT interventions for the child with an intellectual disability including those with profound intellectual and multiple disability.
5. The use of educational and development interventions (including play) to support the child's development.
6. Supporting communication for the child and adolescent with intellectual disability.
7. Education for children with intellectual disability.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Seminars2Guest lecturer
Lecture28class lecture
Tutorial4Student Led
Seminars2Intellectual disability nursing in the community seminar
Independent Study89No Description
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN10778Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorLiz HartnettModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentEssay100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Safeguarding children
Exploring policy, legislation and research evidence in relation to the safeguarding of children with intellectual disability

Policy and Legislation
Awareness of policy and legislation relevant to the provision of support for the child with intellectual disability in Ireland

Lifespan theory
Lifespan development theory applied to the child with intellectual disability

MDT
Exploring how the MDT, including the RNID, can support the development of the child with an intellectual disability and his or her family

Early intervention
Examining early intervention research evidence, policy and service provision.

Childhood development
Exploration of typical and atypical childhood development drawing on theory from psychology, sociology and lifespan development.

Supporting the family
Supporting the family of a child with an intellectual disability, evidence and its application to practice.

Education
Supporting the child with an intellectual disability in mainstream and special education settings. Exploring the relevant policy, legislation and research evidence.

Syndromes and conditions and child development
Examining how syndromes and conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or autism can impact on a a child's holistic development. The role of the RNID and the MDT in supporting the child's development will be explored.

Children with profound intellectual and multiple disability
The support needed by the child with PIMD by the RNID and the MDT will be explored. Relevant research evidence will be examined

Communication
Supports to assist the child with an intellectual disability with his or her communication will be examined. Relevant research evidence will be explored.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Fintan Sheerin,Carmel Doyle: 2024, Intellectual Disabilities: Health and Social Care Across the Lifespan, Springer, London, 9783031274978
  • Atherton, H and Crickmore, J: 2022, Learning disability towards inclusion, 5th,
  • Gates, B and Mafuba, K: 2015, Learning Disability Nursing, Modern Day Practice., Taylor and Francis, London,
  • Gates, B. and Barr, O.: 2019, Oxford Handbook of Learning and Intellectual Disability Nursing. UK: OUP Oxford.,
  • Sharma, A and Cockerill, H: 2014, Mary Sheriden's from birth to five years: child development progress, Routledge, New York,
  • Boettcher, L and Dammeyer, J: 2019, Development and learning of young children with disabilities, Springer, New York,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: Policy, HSE, 2013, Progressing disability services for children and young adults, Dublin, HSE
  • 418839: 1, LEARNING DISABILITY PRACTICE, 2025, SELECTION OF ARTICLES EXPLORED IN CLASS,
  • 418840: 1, JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 2025, SELECTION OF ARTICLES EXPLORED IN CLASS,

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for NS263