Childhood is a crucial time in everyone’s life. A variety of developmental milestones are reached from childhood to adulthood, however for some children and teenagers there are issues along the way. This course focuses on some of those issues and is ideal for anyone studying psychology, counselling or health sciences, or works with children including in caring, coaching, teaching or youth worker roles.
The Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents) is a professional development program that will give you insights into the signs, symptoms, treatment and support options for a variety of developmental and behavioural disorders.
In this online behaviour management course, you will explore disorders including learning disabilities, autism, Asperger’s Disorder and other pervasive development 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.
On completion of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of a range of disorders that affect children and teenagers, and you’ll be able to support and assist them with avoiding potentially major mental health issues in their later lives.
Course Structure
Unit: Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents)
Unit 1 – Nature and scope of developmental disorders
- Nature of developmental disorders
- Classification of childhood disorders
- Causes of developmental disorders
- Genetic factors
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors
- A general overview of the diagnosis of developmental disorders
- The prevalence of developmental disorders in the general population
- General overview of the impact on the families and children and adolescents with developmental disorders
- Intellectual disability
- Co-morbid disorders
- Levels of severity
- Mild learning disability (IQ 50-70)
- Moderate learning disability (IQ 35-49)
- Severe learning disabilities (IQ 20-34)
- Profound learning disability (IQ less than 20)
Unit 2 – Autism
- Definition of autism
- The signs and symptoms of autism
- Impaired social development & interactions
- Abnormal communication
- Repetitive behaviour
- Other problems
- Autism in girls
- Social interaction and communication
- Social imagination
- Potential positive aspects of autism
- Causes of autism
- History of the perception of autism
- Prevalence & course of autism in the general population
- The autism spectrum
- Issues facing children and adolescents with autism
- The impact of autism on the family
- Treatments for children and adolescents with autism
- How parents/carers and practitioners can support children with autism
- Supportive services for children and adolescents with autism
Unit 3 – Asperger’s disorder
- Definition of Asperger’s disorder
- The signs and symptoms of Asperger’s disorder
- Impaired social interactions
- Repetitive behaviour
- Causes of Asperger’s disorder
- The history of Asperger’s disorder
- The prevalence & course of Asperger’s disorder in the general population
- Asperger’s disorder and autism – the autism spectrum
- The 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 their family
Unit 4 – Other pervasive developmental disorders
- Definition of pervasive developmental disorder
- Rett’s disorder
- Childhood disintegrative disorder
- Prevalence
- Signs & symptoms
- Treatment and support
- Developmental disorders not otherwise specified
- Causes of developmental disorders
- How developmental disorders are diagnosed
- Impact of developmental disorders on the child or adolescent
- Impact on the family of the child or adolescent with developmental disorders
Unit 5 – Attention-deficit & hyperactivity disorders
- Hyperactivity definition
- Signs & symptoms of ADHD
- Features of inattention
- Features of hyperactivity-impulsivity
- Settings
- Other conditions
- Causes of ADHD
- Historical background of ADHD
- Prevalence & course of ADHD
- Treatment of ADHD
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Behavioural therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Parenting
- Social skills training
- Other things that can help
- Healthy diet
- Patterning
- Vision training
- Occupational therapy
- Exercise
- Simple tips to help
- Support available
- Factors that can aggravate add or ADHD symptoms
- The impact of add and ADHD on the child or adolescent
- The impact on the family of a child with add or ADHD
Unit 6 – Conduct disorders
- Definition of conduct disorder (aggressive, non-aggressive, Deceitfulness & theft, Violation of rules)
- Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder
- Subtypes
- Causes of conduct disorder
- Prevalence & course of conduct disorders in the general population
- Definition of oppositional defiant disorder
- Signs and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder
- Causes of oppositional defiant disorder
- Prevalence & course of oppositional defiant disorder in the general population
- Anti-social personality disorder (APD)
- Treatments available for conduct disorders
- Support for families and children with conduct disorders
- The impact of conduct disorders on children
- The impact on the family of having a child with a conduct disorder
- How parents/carers and practitioners can support children with conduct disorders
Unit 7 – Learning disorders
- Specific developmental disorders
- Definition of learning disorders
- Reading disorder (developmental dyslexia)
- Signs & symptoms
- Causes
- Prevalence
- Dyslexia
- Prevalence and support available
- Disorder of written expression (specific spelling disorder)
- Mathematics (arithmetic) disorder
- How parents/carers and practitioners can support children with learning disorders
- The impact of nature and nurture on learning disorders
- The impact of learning disorders on the child or adolescent
- The impact of learning disorders on the family
Unit 8 – Communication disorders & motor skills disorder
- Definition of communication disorders
- Causes of communication disorders
- Causes, signs and symptoms
- Prevalence in the general population
- Treatment & support available
- Phonological disorder
- Expressive language disorder
- Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder
- Stuttering
- Motor skills disorder
Unit 9 – Problem based learning (PBL) project
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
User friendly, easy to communicate with tutors, and loved the knowledge it was self-paced and it could fit in to my schedule easily
S. Binns, Schofields NSW | Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders
I had a very positive experience during my time of study. The tutors were very helpful, very supportive and always available to help. Thank you for your help!
N. Ansley, Manly West QLD | Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents)
Highly recommend. Info given was relevant and it was good to refer back to. Good time frame to complete the course in and access to help over email was excellent.
M. Briggs, Maitland, SA | Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders
It was fantastic to be able to work whenever at my own pace and tutor responses were extremely quick and helpful. I felt overall that the course was well explained and structured. I thoroughly enjoyed the course.
M. Bottcher, Bushland Beach, QLD | Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents)
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
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Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Professional development for those working in:
- Youth work
- Child and adolescent counselling
- School counselling
- Teaching
- Child psychology
- Caring roles
- Youth coaching
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