Advanced Paediatric Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Care
This course includes 10 modules over 11 weeks and focuses on developing advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions commonly seen in children and youth across care settings. It is designed for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and NP students who wish to strengthen their paediatric mental health and neurodevelopmental knowledge to better serve their clients or support their transition to a new practice setting. The course is intended to broaden NPs’ scope of practice by supporting their ability to assess and treat mental health conditions, guide parents in managing challenging behaviours, locate appropriate resources, and make referrals as needed within advanced paediatric and mental health practice.
What to Expect in This Course
Over eleven weeks, you will explore common mental health and neurodevelopmental presentations among paediatric populations across care settings in Canada, including anxiety, depression, autism, and ADHD. You will learn which interview questions to ask, how to ask them effectively, how to formulate differential diagnoses, and how to identify a primary diagnosis. The course will also support you in working with youth and families to meet their goals through psychosocial interventions and thoughtful medication management. Overall, this course is designed to build confidence and promote competency development, helping you feel prepared for the unique challenges of paediatric mental health practice.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Assess paediatric clients and families using developmentally appropriate mental health and neurodevelopmental screening tools and interview questions.
- Identify clinical presentations of common paediatric mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders and their associated behavioural presentations
- Formulate differential diagnoses using a biopsychosocial approach, integrating biological, psychological, family, and social determinants of child mental health.
- Develop evidence-based, individualized treatment plans incorporating pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions appropriate to their developmental stage and cultural context.
- Describe the principles of effective collaboration to coordinate holistic, strength based client and family-centred care among key partners including families, schools, multidisciplinary teams, and community services.
- Apply ethical, legislative, and safety frameworks relevant to paediatric mental health practice, including consent, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting obligations.
ANCC‑Accredited NCPD Provider
CPD, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for meeting the highest standards in Nursing Continuing Professional Development. Our courses support nurses in building skills, advancing practice, and improving patient care.
Audience
Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Practitioner students in their second year, seeking professional development to support entry or transition to advanced practice with the paediatric population.
Course Outline
| Date and Week | Topic | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 Jan 18-24, 2027 | Course Introduction and Anxiety Disorders | Online Asynchronous |
| Week 2a Week 2b Jan 25 – 31, 2027 | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder NP as Psychotherapist | Online Asynchronous Option Live Q & A |
| Week 3 Feb 1 – 7, 2027 | Eating Disorders | Live Session |
| Week 4 Feb 8 – 14, 2027 | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Online Asynchronous |
| Week 5 Feb 15 – 21, 2027 | Autism Spectrum Disorder – Diagnosis | Online Asynchronous |
| Week 6 Feb 22 – 28, 2027 | Autism Spectrum Disorder – Interventions | Online Asynchronous & LIVE Case Study session |
| Week 7 Mar 1 – 8, 2027 | Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences | Online Asynchronous |
| Week 8a Week 8b Mar 8 – 14, 2027 | Mood Disorders Suicide Prevention and Self Harm | Online Asynchronous LIVE Session |
| Week 9 & Week 10 Mar 15 – 25, 2027 | Concurrent Disorders (open for 2 weeks, over March Break) | Online Asynchronous |
| Week 11a Week 11b Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2027 | Supporting Parents & Families with Challenging Teen Behaviour Introduction to Psychopharmacogenomics | Online Asynchronous Online Asynchronous Exam Due: April 9, 2027 |
Course Directors
Krista Keilty, NP-Paediatrics, PhD
Paediatric Course Director, Centre for Professional Development
Assistant Professor (status only), Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Nurse Practitioner and Associate Chief Interprofessional Practice-Connected Care & System Integration, Hospital for Sick Children
Bridget Doan
Nurse Practitioner, Psychopharmacology Clinic, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital
NP Psychotherapist, Whole Heart Mental Health and Wellness
Registration Information
- Early Bird price (ends December 18, 2026)
- $1,035+ HST
- Regular price (starts December 19, 2026)
NPAO Members Apply Discount Code. Visit NP Central Education Page to get your Coupon Code - $1,150 + HST
- U of T Nursing Alumni Discount – Save 15%
- $975 + HST
- U of T Nursing Faculty Discount – Save 15%
- $975 + HST
- NPAO Member save 12%*** NPAO Members Apply Discount Code. Visit NP Central Education Page to get your Coupon Code
- $1010 + HST
- A group discount rate is available for site groups of three or more people. For details please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
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Financial Aid
IMPORTANT POLICIES
Course Refund, Withdrawal and Transfer Policy:
Please submit a written request to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca indicating which withdrawal method you are requesting from the options below:
- Withdrawal Transfer Option: If you withdraw within the first two (2) weeks of the course, you may transfer your full registration fee as credit toward the next offering of the course. (Transfers must be taken towards courses within the same program/certificate within a year.)
- Withdrawal Refund Option: Refunds are eligible until the refund deadline (refund deadline – 2 weeks before course start date). All refunds are subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of $100 plus applicable taxes.
- Withdrawal Substitution Option: You may designate a colleague to attend the course in your place.CPD may provide special considerations for extraneous circumstances. Please reach out to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca if you require alternative options.
CPD may provide special considerations for extraneous circumstances. Please reach out to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca if you require alternative options.
- Registration deadline: January 18, 2027
- U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
- U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a current (at time of registration) faculty position, an adjunct appointment or a status appointment to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
- Discounts cannot be combined.
- Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
- This information is collected in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
- Course Cancellation Policy – The Centre for Professional Development reserves the right to cancel courses. The decision to cancel a course is normally made 2 weeks prior to the course start date. If you are enrolled in a course which is subsequently cancelled, you may apply your fee to another course, or receive a full refund. The Centre is not responsible for any travel or other expenses incurred by you.