Fall 2025 - PSYC 359 OL01
Developmental Disabilities (3)
Class Number: 5143
Delivery Method: Online
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Online
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Exam Times + Location:
Oct 15, 2025
Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Grace Iarocci
giarocci@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
PSYC 201 and PSYC 250 (or PSYC 241).
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Developmental disorders and disabilities. Topics include genes and environment, peer and parent-child relationships, social attitudes, diversity, ethical issues, and behavioural therapies. Students who have credit for PSYC 391, Selected Topics in Psychology:Developmental Disabilities, may not take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Developmental disability is an essential area of study for both students interested in the development of children generally and those interested in promoting the development of children with developmental disabilities. This advanced undergraduate course provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan, drawing primarily from the textbook "Understanding Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" (Iarocci, Burack& Bowler, 2024). Students will explore the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of developmental disabilities, with emphasis on current research, assessment approaches, intervention strategies, and ethical considerations in supporting individuals with developmental differences.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
In this course we will cover controversial debates about the role of genes and environments in typical and atypical development, the role of peer and parent-child relationships in shaping development. Social attitudes and policies with regard to diversity and ethical issues surrounding genetic screening and behavioural therapies will also be discussed. We will discuss clinical interventions considering the “whole child” within the context of families, communities, and societies. This course is best suited for students with prior course work in developmental psychology or developmental psychopathology.
Grading
- TBD 100%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Iarocci, G., Burack, J.A., and Bowler, D., (2024). Understanding Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Sage.
ISBN: 9781446296462
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.