Building on previous knowledge this module addresses nursing aspects related to early childhood and specific support and intervention strategies required to assist children with an intellectual disability and their families in promoting health and wellbeing from birth to twelve years of age.

Pre, peri and post natal development, screening tests at birth and premature reflexes. Knowledge of specific intellectual disability conditions. Early intervention services, family centred care, respite care, foster/shared care schemes. Promoting independence within social and self-help skill development. Communication and language needs of the child, valuing play, music and creative interventions as developmentally appropriate. Rights of the child in; health, education, learning and integration into mainstream services. Child care policies; concept of child protection; recognition and consequence of child abuse, procedures and guidelines for reporting abuse. Management of; sleep, postural care, continence, contractors, restrictions of movement and medications. Person centred nursing skills The nursing process and family centred approaches; care plan and documentation Nutritional assessment and support of the child Mobility and posture care (active and passive limb exercises, sleep hygiene and positioning supports) Respiratory care (oxygen and nebuliser therapy, inhaler techniques and suctioning technique) Facilitating communication, health and wellbeing through creative medium e.g. play, music

(Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis) Describe the stages of child development Describe the nature and manifestations of conditions associated with intellectual disability Describe the role of the nurse across residential and mainstream service Discuss safety and protection of children with an intellectual disability

(Attitudes and Values) Appreciate the value of activities that promotes social and self-help development for the child with an intellectual disability Demonstrate awareness of the importance of client comfort, well-being, inclusion and participation in daily activities

(Physical Skills) Demonstrate clinical skills essential for nursing the child with an intellectual disability.

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and clinical skills laboratories that engage with selected primary texts and supplemented by secondary material (assigned, recommended and/or sourced by students). Lectures will combine contextualisation with close reading, illustrated, where necessary, by visual and audio material. Clinical skills laboratories will have an emphasis on participative group-work, and focus on exploring values, attitudes and understanding of disability. Appreciate current evidence based literature and its relevance to nursing practice and incorporate relevant national and international health policy.