Psychology of Developmental Disorders Working Group

Working Group memebrs:

• PhDr. Hana Sotáková
• Veronika Šporclová, Ph.D.
• Beno Schraepen, M.A.

The psychology of developmental disorders is a wide area of applied psychology. It is derived from developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, educational psychology, as well as social psychology. The target groups are primarily children and adolescents. However, secondarily it also affects families and other social groups. Adults with developmental disorders have also recently become a crucial source of research and information. The psychology of developmental disorders is traditionally closely linked to medicine and education.

The main topics of the field include basic, as well as applied research, the development of various assessment tools, the development and evaluation of evidence-based intervention programmes. The area offers various kinds of scientific work with the aim of supporting individuals with developmental disorders and eliminating obstacles in their daily life and professional careers.

The professional international cooperation, which will be enhanced by the ICP 2020, is absolutely necessary to make the field as dynamic and diverse as the modern world is. Aspects of globalisation, immigration, but also educational and social inclusion all affect topics involved in the psychology of developmental disorders.

Core topics:

• Conceptual and theoretical issues related to developmental disorders
• Assessment of developmental disorders
• Evidence-based intervention
• Stress and resilient factors of developmental disorders
• Social factors related to developmental disorders
• Developmental studies in relation to developmental disorders (including the life-long perspective)