Developmental Differences in Infants and Toddlers

Catalog description

This course is an examination of developmental and behavioral characteristics of infants and toddlers specifically when presented as veering off typical and expected trajectories. Differences will be considered from two perspectives: those with specific diagnoses as well as those with emerging developmental differences. The domains of development will be utilized as an organizing framework. Within each developmental domain, students will learn to identify developmental differences as well as to differentiate variations in developmental pace whether slower or more advanced. Clinical observations, asking relevant questions, interpreting, and determining when and where to make referrals will be highlighted. We will focus on developing skills in communicating with parents around concerns regarding their child’s development. The multi-directional influence of cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and interpersonal variables will also be considered.