University of Southern Indiana

SOCW625.NC1 Summer 2016

Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents
HP 1083
Tuesdays, 5:30 9:30
Instructor: Wendy Turner-Frey, PhD, MSW
Department of Social Work
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Boulevard
Evansville, Indiana 47712
E-mail wturner@usi.edu
Office: 465-1201
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Schedule: This class begins May 11, 2016 and ends July 15, 2016. This is a hybrid class
that will meet four times and have alternative activities/assignments on alternating weeks.
Course Description:
Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents examines the development and behavior of
children and adolescents in relation to the ability to function in their roles in society, including in
the family, with peers, schools, or other systems. Assessment of functioning and interventions
congruent with the child/adolescents needs are explored. Consideration will be given to the
impact of the environmental context in which problems manifest, including community or
organizational cultures and policy, socio-economic factors or other aspects of human diversity.

Course Objectives/Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of child and adolescent behaviors;
particularly behaviors correlated to referral or need for social work services (Competency
10. Engage, a);
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a multidisciplinary
approach to treatment of childhood and adolescent disorders (Competency 1. c.);
3. Students will be able to identify criteria for DSM V diagnoses of childhood disorders and
select interventions appropriate to those disorders (Competency 10 Assessment a.);
4. Students will be able to apply skills in assessment and treatment to the practice of child
and adolescent social work, in a variety of settings (e.g., agencies, schools, communities),
(Competency 10 Intervention a.); and
5. Students will be able to identify a primary theoretical orientation and philosophy to
treating children, adolescents and families (Competency 7.a.).

Integrative Statement:
The goal of this course is for students to apply skills in assessment and treatment with child and
adolescents in a variety of settings (e.g. agencies, schools, communities). This class builds upon
prior classes taken in the Masters of Social Work Program.

Student Expectations:

Students are expected to be prepared for full participation in class by reading material and
discussing any issues that might arise.
All assignments are due on the due date at the specific time noted in the syllabus.
All students are expected to complete their own work.
Plagiarism is not acceptable and if done, the work will be graded as a failure for that
assignment.
Students are expected to bring their text and therapy tools as anticipated from assignment
of previous class.

Hints for Success:

Attend all classes

Read all assigned materials
Participate in class discussion
Review syllabus and plan ahead
Ask for clarification of any assignment or reading material if unclear to
you

Department Attendance Policy

Following the Social Work Department Policy, students who miss more than the equivalent of
three weeks of class in a semester may be dismissed from the course and/or from the Social
Work Department. The student should follow the individual requirement for course attendance.

Dropping the Class

It is suggested that the student talk to the instructor before dropping the class. Please refer to the
University of Southern Indiana (USI) class schedules each semester for date and deadlines for
dropping or withdrawing from a class. Additional information can be located in the University
Bulletin for policies on dropping a class. Students receiving financial assistance should check
with the Office of Financial Aid prior to dropping a class.
Honor Code

USI policies and regulations governing the conduct of students and the procedures for handling
violations of these policies are found in the Students Rights and Responsibilities in the USI
Bulletin and are on file in the Dean of Students' office. Be careful with getting assistance from
others when completing assignments. Watch for accidental plagiarism, using materials, i.e.
copying and pasting without sufficient referencing of the originating source. Knowledge of other
students cheating and choosing not to act on this information also is punishable under USI
policy. Any questions about this code specifically, or ethical student behavior in general may be
directed to your instructor and/or advisor. This information can also be found on the USI Dean of
Students website, Academic Dishonesty Policy and Academic Affairs Student Grievance
Procedure, http://www.usi.edu/stl/section_changes.asp.
American Disability Act Compliance
If you have a disability for which you may require academic accommodations for this class,
please register with the Office of Disability Resources (ODR) as soon as possible. Students who
have or who receive an accommodation letter from ODR are encouraged to meet privately with
me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as early in the semester as possible. To
qualify for accommodation assistance, students must first register to use the disability resources
in ODR, Orr Center Rm. 095, 812/464-1961, http://www.usi.edu/disabilities. To help ensure that
accommodations will be available when needed, students are encouraged to meet with course
faculty at least 7 days prior to the actual need for the accommodation.

H1N1 Policy
Students and employees with flu-like symptoms should not attend class or work and should stay
isolated from others. If illness occurs, the faculty will work with students to meet course
requirements.

Required Texts:
Landreth, G. (2012). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, Third Edition. New
York: Taylor and Francis Group.
Crenshaw, D. Ed. (2010) Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: Wounded Spirits and
Healing Paths. Lanham, MD.: Lexington Books.
Not required, but recommended:
Dinkmeyer, D & McKay, M (2007). Systematic Training for Effective Parenting: The
STEP Parents Handbook. Fredericksburg, VA: STEP Publishers.
Oaklander, V. (2007) Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to
Children and Adolescents. Gouldsboro, Maine: Gestalt Journal Press

Strauss, M. (1999). No Talk Therapy for Children and Adolescents. W.W. Norton &
Company.
Other articles and readings as selected from Bibliography
Required Assignments:

100 points - Participation and Professionalism

o attendance at all face-to-face class meetings; professional interaction in the
classroom and online; reading prior to class, watching all required videos and
being prepared to discuss all.
20 points - Quiz Week 2
o online using Blackboard (completed by May 27).
30 points - Discussion Board Week 4
o online using Blackboard (completed by June 10).
100 points - Childs Play Video Week 6
o see details below in syllabus (video posted by June 21; comments posted by June
27).
100 points Social Worker Interview Week 7
o See details below in syllabus (summary report due by July 4)
50 points - Online Assignment Week 8
o online using Blackboard (agency summary & link completed by July 5; comments
posted by July 11).
100 points - Case Study Presentations
o present to the class on the case you were given; identify the primary issues;
develop at least two goals for the client; develop three objectives for each goal;
identify possible interventions used (presented in class July 12).
100 points - Case Study Paper
o written summary of information presented; this is the final exam for the course
(due by 11:59 pm on July 15).

Total Points for the Course: 600 points

A = 558 600 points (93% +)
B+ = 522 - 557 (87% 92%)
B = 480 521 (80% - 86%)
C+ = 456 479 (76% - 79%)
C = 420 - 455 (70% to 75%)
F = 419 and below (69% to 0)

Course Outline:
May 17, 2016- Class One (Face to Face class)
Topic: Child and Adolescent Behaviors
Reading: GL Chapters 2, 4; DC Chapters 1-2
Discussion points: stages and phases of development;
May 24, 2016- Class Two (online class)
Tasks: Watch Videos on Blackboard (links below on syllabus);
Quiz over DSM-V relating to children and adolescents
Quiz must be completed by May 27 @ 11:59pm.
Topic: Child and Adolescent Disorders
Reading: DSM-V pp. 33-87; 190-195; 265-290; 329-361; 451-475; Blackboard posted
readings

May 31, 2016- Class Three (Face to Face class)

Topic: Child and Adolescent Disorders
Reading: continue readings in DSM-V from previous week
Discussion points: Common disorders for children and adolescents; changes from DSMIV to DSM-V; potential problems with labeling
June 7, 2016- Class Four (online class)
Tasks: Watch Videos on Blackboard (links below on syllabus);
Discussion board over your preferred approach
Must complete posting on Discussion Board by 11:59 pm June 1)
Topics: Theoretical Orientations & Treatment Philosophies
Readings: Selected articles to be assigned on Blackboard.
June 14, 2016- Class Five (face to face)
Topic: Referrals and Assessment
Discussion points: Reasons for referrals to therapists; Conducting successful assessment
of need, appropriate diagnosis, interviewing skills with children
Reading: GL Chapter 9-11, DC Chapters 3, 4
5

*Case Studies will be distributed

June 21, 2016- Class Six (online class)
Topic: Play Therapy
Reading: GL Chapters 3, 5, 6, 8
Tasks: Childs Play Video assignment

Select an activity to engage in with a child of your choosing.

Plan and meet with the child for a 15 minute session that is videotaped
(obtain parental permission).
Post this video on YouTube and post the link to the video in the Bb
discussion board.
Video must be posted by June 21 @11:59 pm

View at least one other video and share comments about the experience on
message board
Comments must be posted by June 27 @11:59 pm

June 28, 2016- Class Seven (online class)

Tasks: Interview a MSW

Identify a social worker with a MSW degree that works with children and/or
adolescents
Speak to the social worker, either face-to-face or over the phone, regarding the
following points:
o What age range do they see most often?
o What is the greatest challenge when working with children & adolescents?
o What approaches do they use (theories/techniques)?
o What advice do they have?
Write a brief report of this conversation on Blackboard.

Summary report is due by July 4 @ 11:59 pm.

Topic: The Social Workers Role
Readings: Selected articles to be assigned on Blackboard.
Discussion points: Code of Ethics as applied to children & adolescents; Various roles
that social workers take (advocate, counselor, educator, mediator).

July 5, 2016 - Class eight (online class)

Tasks: Agency Analysis
6

Locate an agency that primarily serves children or adolescents (this can be

a primary or secondary social work setting, e.g. school, hospital, etc.)
Review the agencys website, social media, etc.

Post a summary of the agencys mission, purpose and services on Bb

Discussion Board by July 5 @ 11:59 pm

Provide a link to the agency for others to view.

Visit three links posted by others & comment via Discussion Board

Topic: Settings and Multidisciplinary Work

Reading: DC Chapters 7, 9 GL

July 12, 2016- Class nine (face to face)

Topic: Case Study Presentations

present to the class on the case you were given;

identify the primary issues;
develop at least two goals for the client;
develop three objectives for each goal;
identify possible interventions used

July 15, 2016- Class Ten (online class)

Tasks: Final Papers due; submit via Blackboard by 11:59 pm.

Paper is a summary of the presentation given above.

Videos
DSM-V Diagnoses
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Social Communication
Disorder

https://youtu.be/0Pp8jcQ97pY
https://youtu.be/aLXr0c_yRaE

Intellectual Disabilities

https://youtu.be/ijeOEalGPfQ
https://youtu.be/dyjFJ19DF9Y

Specific Learning Disorder

https://youtu.be/Lx0JGGpXdQY

ADHD

https://youtu.be/iEWHSKbVIb0

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

https://youtu.be/bG6XQwfIyXs

Conduct Disorder

https://youtu.be/ME2wmFunCjU

Separation Anxiety

https://youtu.be/ZVejf2BU0yo

Reactive Attachment Disorder

https://youtu.be/FzMExXi8hYo
https://youtu.be/EJPh5L1UTaw

Depression

https://youtu.be/R2nBq1H5Hlo
https://youtu.be/WcE8CmaYTHY

Therapeutic Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT)
Narrative Therapy

https://youtu.be/9kD5NoQrfdU
https://youtu.be/XMst5HoOS6c

Reality Therapy

https://youtu.be/JeQkk-VXnvk

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

(DBT)
Play Therapy

https://youtu.be/hDJi86n9-Rk

Jungian Sand Play Therapy

https://youtu.be/eezpOkViayA

https://youtu.be/ckZQbQwM3oU

https://youtu.be/TaFnch_C8XA
Art Therapy

https://youtu.be/CydxvX8NP7w

Animal Assisted Therapy

https://youtu.be/MHBg5nfAjU4
8

(AAT)
Music Therapy

https://youtu.be/wXcmWwSQGI4
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