Understanding developmental, learning and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents is important professional development for many professions. Whether you work directly with children, in a teaching, medical or caring role, or in-directly through work, this course is ideal for you.

It’s also an excellent course for parents and carers who want to understand their child/children who may experience developmental, learning and behaviour disorders.

The most common behavioural disorders in children include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). However, there are many disorders that can go undiagnosed without the knowledge to identify when behaviour falls outside the ‘norm’ for a child’s level of development.

Our Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents) is an online program that will give you insights into the signs, symptoms, treatments and support options for a variety of developmental and behavioural disorders.

You’ll explore disorders including learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other pervasive developmental disorders, including Rett’s Disorder.

You will also learn about attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, conduct disorders like anti-social personality disorder, learning disorders like developmental dyslexia, communication disorders like phonological disorder and motor skills disorders.

When you study behavioural disorders in children, you will gain insights into a range of disorders that affect children and teenagers. As a result, you’ll feel capable to support and assist them to gain the help they need to thrive.

 Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved if you study behavioural disorders in children include:

• Nature and scope of developmental disorders – intellectual and learning disabilities
• Classification of childhood disorders
• Causes of developmental disorders- genetic, physical and environmental factors
• Overview of the diagnosis of developmental disorders
• Prevalence of developmental disorders
• The impact on the families and children and adolescents with developmental disorders
• Intellectual and learning disabilities
• Co-morbid disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – signs, symptoms, treatment and support
• Causes of ASD
• Definition of ASD
• Impaired social development & interactions
• Abnormal communication
• Repetitive behaviour
• History of the perception of ASD
• The Autism Spectrum
• Issues facing children and adolescents with ASD
• Impact of ASD on the family
• Treatments for children and adolescents with ASD
• How parents/carers and practitioners can support children with ASD
• Supportive services for children and adolescents with ASD
• Asperger’s Disorder – signs, symptoms, treatment and support
• Definition of Asperger’s Disorder
• The signs and symptoms of Asperger’s Disorder
• Impaired social interactions
• Repetitive behaviour
• Causes of Asperger’s Disorder
• History of Asperger’s Disorder
• Prevalence & course of Asperger’s Disorder
• Asperger’s Disorder and ASD – The Autism Spectrum
• Impact of Asperger’s Disorder on the child or adolescent
• The impact of Asperger’s Disorder on the family
• Treatments available for children and adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder
• How parents/carers and practitioners can support children with Asperger’s Disorder
• Supportive services available for children with Asperger’s Disorder and family
• Other pervasive developmental disorders
• Learning disorders – focus on academia (mathematics, reading disorder – dyslexia, etc.) signs, symptoms, treatment and support
• Specific developmental disorders
• Definition of learning disorders
• Reading disorder (developmental dyslexia)
• Disorder of written expression (specific spelling disorder)
• Mathematics (arithmetic) disorder
• Communications disorders & motor skills disorder – focus on speech and language
• Definition and causes of communication disorders
• Phonological disorder
• Expressive language disorder
• Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder
• Motor skills disorder

And more!

Why Study Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders?

If you work with children and adolescents, this course will help you to recognise behavioural disorders as well as developmental and learning disorders.

It is important that behaviour that is considered extreme or outside the ‘norm’ for a child’s level of development be investigated. If a diagnosis is made early, children can receive the help they need to thrive in their education as well as in their social and emotional lives.

This online course, which explores behavioural disorders in children, is important for anyone who works closely with children and adolescents, including:

• Counsellors
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Caring roles
• Health professionals
• Teachers
• Coaches
• Emergency Services Professionals
• Early Childhood Professionals

Common Behavioural Disorders in Children

There are many behavioural disorders in children but the most common include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While all children can be disobedient, defiant, and impulsive, which is considered normal, a disorder is diagnosed when this behaviour is extreme or outside the parameters of what is considered the norm for their developmental age.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Around one in 10 children under 12 years are thought to have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Boys are twice as likely to have ODD and demonstrate behaviours such as:

• Easily angered, annoyed or irritated
• Regular temper tantrums
• Frequent arguments with parents and teachers
• Disobedient
• Appears to deliberately annoy or aggravate others
• Low self-esteem
• Low frustration tolerance
• Blames others for misfortune/misdeeds

Conduct Disorder (CD)

A conduct disorder often has children labelled as ‘naughty’ because of their refusal to accept and follow rules. The disorder affects about five per cent of 10-year-olds with boys outnumbering girls by four to one. The condition is often accompanied with a diagnosis of ADHD. Behaviours that are typical of children and adolescents with conduct disorder include:

• Refusal to obey parents or others in positions of authority
• Regular absences from school
• The tendency towards using drugs at an early age
• Lack of empathy
• Aggression towards animals and people – bullying, physical and sexual abuse
• Criminal behaviour such as stealing, deliberately lighting fires, breaking into houses and vandalism

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The prevalence of ADHD is about two to five per cent in children with boys being three times more likely to be diagnosed. The characteristics of ADHD can include:

Inattention – difficulty concentrating, forgetting instructions, leaving tasks unfinished.

Impulsivity – talking over the top of others, having a short fuse and being accident-prone

Overactivity – restlessness and fidgeting

 

Why do Disorders Occur in Childhood?

The cause of behavioural disorders in children are not known, but risk factors include:

Gender – boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with a behavioural disorder, but it’s undetermined if the link is genetic or related to socialisation.

Gestation and birth – difficulties during pregnancy, premature birth and low birth weight may contribute to behavioural disorders in children and adolescents

Temperament – children who are temperamental or aggressive early in life are more likely to develop a behaviour disorder.

Dysfunctional home life – children in homes where there is domestic violence, poverty and substance abuse are more at risk of behavioural disorders

Learning and intellectual disabilities – those with difficulties learning or intellectual disabilities are also at risk of developing a behavioural disorder.

Brain development – children with ADHD have a less active area of the brain that controls attention.

 

Gain knowledge to understand and help children with developmental, learning, and behavioural disorders with a course that explores behavioural disorders in children, like our Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behavioural Disorders – Children & Adolescents.