Learning Objectives

  • Understand what is meant by atypical development and how it can differ from ‘typical’ child development
  • Be aware of the factors within a child, such as brain damage, genetics and the importance of critical or sensitive periods of development, which can cause atypical development
  • Be aware of the factors external to a child, such as societal expectation and the self-fulfilling prophecy, labelling and the provision of appropriate opportunities and learning contexts, which can cause atypical development