Working with Clinical & Educational Psychologists to support pupils with sensory impairments

Session 1: Jo Phillips

The first session will focus on the medical presentations that may lead to acquired sensory impairment and explore the potential impact on cognition, learning, psychological wellbeing, family resilience and peer relationships. Key learning will include:

• A reminder of early brain development and the impact of medical conditions leading to sensory impairment;
• Mechanisms for acquired sensory impairment with a particular focus on childhood cancer and brain injury;
• Biopsychosocial impact of acquired sensory impairment;
• Strategies to support young people with sensory impairment and co-morbid neuropsychological difficulties.

Session 2: Aicha Reid & Fiona Gorrie

This session will focus on the role of the Educational Psychologist which has changed significantly in recent times. The aim of this session is to develop your understanding of the contribution of the Educational Psychologist as part of the team supporting the children and young people you work with.

Areas of interest will be discussed, for example, the current thinking in educational policy around inclusion. Aicha Reid will share some information from research which can be applied to supporting children who are D/deaf or have hearing/visual impairments in education.

This will be a good opportunity to ask a friendly Educational Psychologist the questions you’ve always wondered about but never had the chance or time to ask!

Tweet #psychologySSC

Target Audience

Educational staff supporting children with visual or hearing impairment, or children with current/previous significant medical conditions.

Presenters

Dr Jo Phillips, Clinical Psychologist, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. Jo provides a neuropsychology service for children affected by childhood cancer (eg, brain tumours), brain injury and other medical conditions.

Aicha Reid, Depute Principal Educational Psychologist, Children's Services, City of Edinburgh. Aicha has worked as a psychologist for 16 years in local authorities in Scotland. She has a special interest in D/deafness, Deaf culture and BSL.

Fiona Gorrie, is in training to become an Educational Psychologist at the University of Dundee