Child and adolescent mental health services

The development of social competency is a key foundation for mental health and social functioning in children. There are many determinants of social competency and thus many ways in which competency can be impaired. The Social Development Research Group is led by Professor Jonathan Green.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team conduct research into a range of developmental social impairments in childhood and their clinical consequences, including:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – We are undertaking basic research into early parent/child communication in infants at high risk of autism and pre-schoolers with autism.
  • Attachment and Social Development – We are investigating social impairment including Disinhibited Attachment Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and social cognitive functioning in children who have experienced maltreatment and disrupted care in early childhood.
  • Mental Health Clinical Trials – We are undertaking research into the treatment of self-harm in adolescents comparing Family Therapy (FT) with Treatment as Usual (TAU).

To find out more about research in this area please visit the Social Development Research Group page on The University of Manchester website.