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Unit of study_

OCCP1101: Disability and Lifespan Development

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Between birth and death, people experience common biological growth and ageing processes. Cognitive capacity changes, psycho-social understandings and culturally significant behavioural milestones can also be observed over the lifespan. When most people experience processes in much the same way as others, or change most of the time "on time" it can be called "typically developing" or "normative". People with disability may have growth, ageing, cognitive, psychosocial or behavioural patterns that are different to "the norm" or are considered "atypical". This unit explores dimensions of "atypical" development, recognizing the value in being able to describe and understand disability difference from an informed perspective, at the same time critiquing the social risk and individual damage that can be caused by characterizing difference as "not normal". Variation in lifespan development is part of the human condition, it can be described and explained, but is not a reason to stigmatize or classify others as "not one of us". The case for person-centred, not impairment-focused approach when working with people who have disability across the lifespan is introduced.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OCCP1101
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sarah Wayland, sarah.wayland@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Kim Bulkeley, kim.bulkeley@sydney.edu.au
Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sarah Wayland, sarah.wayland@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sarah Wayland, sarah.wayland@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Disability and Lifespan Development Exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Six self reflection and peer review quizzes
One 0% and five 4% short quiz (100-200 words equivalent) plus peer review
20% Multiple weeks
Due date: 24 Feb 2020 at 16:49

Closing date: 22 May 2020
Six 100-200 words per quiz + peer review
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO5 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Case Study Analysis
Case study analysis in form of a professional style letter
40% Week 08
Due date: 22 Apr 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Apr 2020
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Six self reflection and peer review quizzes equivalent to 100-200 words – Week 1-2 (0%), Week 3-4 (4%), Week 5-6 (4%), Week 7-8 (4%), Week 9-10 (4%), Week 11-12 (4%).

Case Study – Week 8 – 40%

Final Exam – Week 15/16 – 40%

 

Assessment criteria

OCCP1101 Grading – each assessment uses these band guides with specific performance descriptors presented in CANVAS
85-100% Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard HD
74-84% Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard D
65-74% Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard C
50-64% Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard P
0-49 When your work in the assessment does not meet an acceptable standard  

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Usual penalties as per University of Sydney policy apply

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to disability and lifespan development. For Week 1 ONLY in 2020, the lecture will be offered as an online class to permit flexibility for all students. You do not need to come onto campus in Week 1 for OCCP1101 classes. See Canvas Unit site for details about how to log in to your classes and participate. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Exploring learning outcomes and introducing the language of disability. For Week 1 ONLY in 2020, this tutorial will be offered as online class to permit flexibility for all students. You do not need to come onto campus in Week 1 for OCCP1101 classes. See Canvas Unit site for details about how to log in to your tutorial and preparation. The tutorial will be online at the usual Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) in your timetable Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8
Week 02 Understanding experiences post-birth and in to infancy for children with disability. For Week 2 ONLY in 2020, this lecture will be offered as online class to permit flexibility for all students. You do not need to come onto campus in Week 2 for OCCP1101 classes. See Canvas Unit site for details about how to log in to your lecture and learning resources. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
On-campus tutorial - Exploration of ethical considerations of prenatal testing, diagnosis and early childhood experiences of disability and the role of families as carers. Attendance taken Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 03 On-campus lecture. Topic: Childhood – the incidence and impact of autism on the child and their family (lived experience guest speaker) Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
On campus tutorial - Understanding autism and the needs of children as they prepare to begin school (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 04 On-campus lecture - Unique experiences of adolescent lifespan development and the inclusion of disability Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
On-campus tutorial - Mapping emerging independence and the ways in which the academic literature on disability respects this life transition (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 05 On campus lecture - Cerebral Palsy and teen independence – who decides how young people live their lives? (lived experience guest speaker) Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
On campus tutorial - The consumer voice in disability health promotion material – how is the lifespan reflected in e-health documents. (Attendance Taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 On campus lecture - Early adulthood: how are disability and non-normative lifespan approaches understood by the health sector? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
On-campus tutorial - Understanding access without barriers: how do students communicate their needs; what is their experience in moving about Sydney; how does this compare to others? (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Lecture - Young adulthood and adulthood with Tourette's Syndrome - myths, realities, stereotyping in movies and media and lived impact on everyday life and lifespan. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Tutorial - Viewing of media items with TS representations followed by group analysis of the portrayal of lived experience of young adults with disability, in the media. (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 08 On-campus lecture - Middle adulthood: how do we change direction when disability becomes part of a person’s life? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
On campus tutorial - Group focus on writing and accessibility for adults with disability – how do we correctly pitch to our audience? (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 09 On-campus lecture - Adults living with multiple sclerosis: what does person-centre care truly mean? (lived experience guest lecturer) Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7
On-campus tutorial - Challenging assumptions: how are the unique needs of people with disability, carers, intimate partners, children and siblings addressed? (Attendance taken) Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 10 On-campus lecture - Late adulthood and retirement - disability prevalence and experience (lived experience guest speaker) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
On-campus tutorial - Invisible Disability: Dementia and Alzheimer’s related illnesses – how does an invisible disability impact perception from others? Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 11 On-campus Lecture - End of Life care: is there space for discussion about the impact of disability? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
On-campus tutorial - How is disability understood in terms of significant life transitions? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 On-campus lecture - Cradle to grave: overview of the unit Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
On-campus tutorial - Reflective analysis of lifespan development and the student’s perception shifts about disability. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO7 LO8
Week 13 On-campus workshop - Reflection on learning outcomes and future learning Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Self-study review of unit using textbook, exam bank items and unit resources Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify typical bio-psycho-social changes that occur across the lifespan.
  • LO2. Demonstrate a coherent understanding of contemporary approaches to lifespan development
  • LO3. Explore how development, functioning, disability and health interact over the lifespan to affect participation of individuals.
  • LO4. Demonstrate critical thinking by identifying questions, issues and problems that arise for people with disability when normative approaches to lifespan development are taken
  • LO5. Identify how cultural competence can contribute to engaging productively, collaboratively and openly with people of diverse ability across the lifespan and in diverse contexts
  • LO6. Develop awareness of intersectionality across the life trajectory for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person living with a disability
  • LO7. Solve problems by applying knowledge of lifespan development disability and health in a manner that is person-centred, sensitive to context, informed by scholarship and evidence-based.
  • LO8. Use online, verbal, written, structured and unstructured communication methods to convey an understanding of disability and lifespan development

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.16 T A Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students, and
1.4 T Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships
1.5 T Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
1.6 T Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
1.9 T A Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice
2.5 T A Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting
2.9 T A Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3.12 T Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
4.1 T A Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.10 T Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
4.2 T A Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
4.4 T A Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is a new unit offered for the first time in 2020.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.