Paediatric Neurodisability Diploma

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is working in partnership with the British Academy of Childhood Disability (BACD) to offer the Paediatric Neurodisability Diploma.

Audience: All doctors currently providing care for disabled children and young people
Duration: Two-year part-time distance learning course including online group learning sessions
Cost: £5000 / £4800 BACD members

All grid trainees in paediatric neurodisability are encouraged to take the course as it complements the grid training programme and provides a useful framework to gain the expected competencies.

Course content

The course includes twelve subject units, delivered in four clinical modules, covering the many aspects of paediatric disability. It complements the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Paediatric Neurodisability Level 3 Training Programme.

All of the core modules are relevant to practice and include material prepared by experts, recommended reading and exercises based on the text. You will also take part in four online group learning sessions, each related to one of the four modules.

You will complete an in-depth critical appraisal audit and/or service evaluation alongside the course modules with anticipation of a completed audit cycle.

Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded a Diploma from the British Academy of Childhood Disability.

Module 1 - Communication, networking and introduction to disability

Unit 1 – An introduction to Paediatric Disability and Clinical Assessment

Terminology
Cultural issues
Typical development
Clinical Assessment
Screening

Unit 2 – Working with families

Communication
Needs of families
Information
Voluntary sector

Unit 3 – Service Networks

Health services
Social services
Financial help
Education
Co-ordinating services

Module 2 - Epilepsy, cerebral palsy and motor disorders

Unit 4 – The epilepsies

What is epilepsy?
Is it epilepsy?
History taking
Physical examination
Classification
Management
Other disabling conditions
Status Epilepticus
Services
Caring for a child with Epilepsy

Unit 5 – Children and young people with cerebral palsies

Terminology
Epidemiology
Aetiology
Management of cerebral palsies
Associated impairments
Inpatient care
Support

Unit 6 – Motor disorders

Disorders of the spine
Long-term problems of spinal cord disorders
How can we prevent or help these problems
Spina bifida
Neuromuscular disorders
Paediatric movement disorders
Education

Module 3 - Neurodevelopmental disorders

Unit 7 – Intellectual developmental disability

Definition of intellectual developmental disabilities
Psychometric assessment
Prevalence
Aetiology
Assessment
Neurodegenerative disorders
Paediatric management
Mild/moderate intellectual developmental disabilities
Syndromes

Unit 8 – Developmental disorders

Specific learning difficulties
Developmental co-ordination difficulties (DCD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
– Assessment
– Comorbidities
– Behaviour Management
– Treatment with medication
– Cardiac Issues
– Substance misuse/crime
– Transition to Adult services

Unit 9 – Communication disorders

Typical development of communication
Screening
Assessing a child when there is concern about language
Speech and language disorders
Management
Special situations
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Assessment of a child with possible autism
Management

Module 4 - Sensory impairment and wider aspects of disability

Unit 10 – Hearing and vision

Normal hearing
Hearing loss
Early identification of hearing loss
Assessment and management of hearing loss
Development of vision
Visual impairment
Early identification
Assessment and management of visual loss
Multisensory impairment

Unit 11 – Wider aspects

Acquired disability
Other forms of disability
Emotional and behavioural difficulties
Disability and pain
Technology dependent children and young people
Care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions

Unit 12 – Links

Safeguarding
Alternative parenting
Child protection
Transition to adult life
Advocacy

Module 5 - Critical appraisal, audit and service evaluation (runs alongside modules 1-4)

To be presented at the fourth residential

Residentials

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, residential sessions were held in Sheffield and formed an essential part of the Diploma.

Sadly we currently need to replace these with online group learning sessions. These will complement the individual online learning and give you the opportunity to discuss topics with trainers and your co-trainees.

It is expected that all students join all of the group learning sessions as these are an integral part of the Diploma. You will need to have Microsoft Teams downloaded to take part.

Distance learning

Distance learning enables you to manage the majority of your learning in your own time. Course materials are distributed by email which includes working with interactive PDFs.

You will have a designated tutor who is an expert in the field. They can provide local support or remote support by email, tailored to your individual situation and requirements.

Course administration is handled by the course team based at the Ryegate Children’s Centre in Sheffield.