Supporting Autistic Young People with Positive Behaviour Support
This online course is designed for parents, teachers, mental health, allied-health and behaviour support practitioners who want to deepen their knowledge and confidently support autistic children and adolescents. It provides a clear, strengths-based understanding of autism spectrum conditions and how to create environments where autistic individuals can thrive.
Using the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework, the course explores practical communication strategies, proactive guidance and supportive approaches relevant across education, social settings, home and everyday life.
Positive Behaviour Support advocates for a person-centred approach that is respectful and empowering — and this autism training course is no different. We believe autistic individuals deserve supportive environments, meaningful opportunities and the chance to live healthy, fulfilling lives with the same access, inclusion and dignity as their neurotypical peers.
Understanding Autism and Behaviours of Concern
Behaviours of concern (BoC) are actions that may place an autistic child or other's personal safety at risk of harm, interfere with participation or learning, or affect the child’s overall wellbeing. These behaviours are not intentional “misconduct” but communication signals that something in the child’s world is overwhelming, unclear, unpredictable or unmet. For autistic children, BoC often arise when they do not yet have the language, regulation, or problem-solving skills to express their needs in more conventional ways.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that reflects differences in brain development and wiring. These differences influence how an individual processes information, interprets social cues and responds to the sensory and physical environment (key features of Autism). Such variations can significantly shape how an autistic child experiences communication demands, transitions, sensory input, or unexpected changes. When environmental expectations do not match a child’s needs — especially when sensory stimulation is too intense, confusing or unpredictable — the likelihood of distress and behaviours of concern naturally increases.
Common autistic traits such as sensory sensitivities, strong preferences for predictability, differences in flexible thinking, or challenges processing verbal instructions can influence a child’s moment-to-moment experiences. For example, loud noises, bright lights or crowded classrooms may overwhelm a child’s sensory system, leading to behaviours like withdrawing, covering ears, attempting to escape, or expressing distress through shouting, crying or aggression. Similarly, differences in social communication may make it harder for a child to ask for help, explain discomfort, or navigate complex group situations. Different stimulation will effect different autism spectrum conditions differently!
Understanding these underlying factors is essential for effective support. A core principle of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is recognising that the behaviour is not the problem — it is a signal that something in the environment, task, communication, or expectations needs adjusting.
This is where reasonable adjustments become critical. By adapting the physical environment, modifying communication methods, providing visual supports, adjusting tasks, chunking instructions, or offering regulation breaks, we reduce distress and increase a child’s sense of safety, predictability and participation.
Reasonable adjustments also ensure equitable access to learning, relationships and community experiences. When we consider an individual’s sensory profile, communication preferences and emotional needs, we can design supports that enhance comfort, confidence and wellbeing.
Ultimately, understanding autism and Behaviours of Concern requires a shift in perspective:
instead of aiming to “fix” the behaviour, we focus on meeting needs, reducing triggers and building supportive contexts. This compassionate, proactive approach is at the heart of Positive Behaviour Support — enabling autistic children to engage, learn and thrive in ways that honour their neurotype across all autistic spectrum conditions.
Understanding Ways to Manage Behaviours of Concern Through Training
This course is designed to equip you with both the theoretical understanding and practical tools needed to respond to behaviours of concern in a thoughtful, evidence-based and compassionate way that supports individuals. You will gain knowledge of key concepts — including neurological differences in autistic people, sensory processing, environmental influences, emotional regulation and person-centred support — are woven throughout each module, guiding you step-by-step through the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework. However, the course will not allow you to make a professional diagnosis.
By grounding the training delivery in a deep understanding of autism and the factors that shape behaviour, you’ll be able to apply PBS strategies with confidence and clarity. Whether you are a parent, educator or allied-health professional, you will find this guidance relevant in helping you create meaningful, sustainable change and support autistic children in developing the regulation, participation, relationships and wellbeing they deserve — without asking them to be anyone other than who they are.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support for Autism?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach that focuses on understanding why a behaviour happens, rather than only trying to stop it. For autistic children and adolescents, behaviours of concern are often a response to sensory overload, communication barriers, unexpected changes or unmet needs.
PBS for autism looks at these underlying causes and changes the environment and supports around the young person, so they can feel safe, communicate their needs and participate more fully.
PBS for autism follows three core steps, known as the Assess–Manage–Prevent cycle:
- Assess: Gather information about the young person and their environment to understand what triggers a behaviour and what purpose it serves for them. This is called a Functional Behaviour Assessment.
- Manage: Recognise the early signs of distress and respond with calm, respectful de-escalation strategies that keep everyone safe.
- Prevent: Make proactive changes, such as adjusting the sensory environment, using visual supports, preparing for transitions and teaching new skills, so the behaviour is less likely to happen.
Who Uses Positive Behaviour Support?
PBS works best when everyone around the young person takes a consistent approach. Parents, teachers, education support staff, support workers and allied health professionals all play a part in putting the strategies into practice at home, at school and in the community.
PBS and the NDIS
Positive Behaviour Support is used within the NDIS behaviour support framework. If your child has a behaviour support plan developed by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner, this course can help you understand and apply its strategies in everyday life.
NDIS funding may be available where the purchase meets the participant’s plan, goals and applicable funding rules.
Autism Training for Teachers and Educators
Autistic students can find the classroom a demanding place. Noise, crowded spaces, changes to routine, unclear instructions and social expectations can all lead to distress, which may show up as shutdowns, avoidance or behaviours of concern. This autism training for teachers and educators gives you a practical, respectful way to understand what is happening and respond.
You will learn how to:
- Recognise how sensory, communication, thinking and emotional differences affect learning and behaviour
- Identify the setting events and triggers behind behaviours of concern in your classroom
- Contribute to a Functional Behaviour Assessment and use the findings to plan support
- Make classroom adjustments, such as visual supports, sensory-friendly spaces and transition plans, that reduce barriers for autistic students
- Spot early signs of escalation and use de-escalation strategies suited to each stage
- Work with families and allied health professionals so support is consistent between home and school
If you are comparing autism courses for teachers, this training provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion. Behaviour Help is a NESA-accredited provider and the autism course is identified as TQI accredited. Teachers should check current accreditation details and how the learning may be recorded for their registration requirements. The course is also suitable for education support staff and early childhood educators.
Autism Training for Parents
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You may also find that some days feel like a constant cycle of meltdowns, difficult transitions or struggles over everyday tasks. This autism training for parents helps you understand what your child's behaviour is communicating and what you can do to support them at home.
You will learn how to:
- Understand your child's sensory, communication and emotional needs, and how they connect to behaviour
- Notice the triggers and unmet needs behind challenging moments
- Set up routines, visual supports and home environments that help your child feel calm and in control
- Teach your child skills to express their needs, manage transitions and cope with sensory overload
- Respond to meltdowns calmly and safely, and know what to do afterwards
- Work with your child's school, therapists and NDIS behaviour support practitioner as part of one team
The course is self-paced, so you can learn in short sessions around family life, with 12 months to complete it.
Autism Course Frequently Asked Questions
Is this autism course accredited?
Behaviour Help is a NESA-accredited provider, and this autism course is identified as TQI accredited. It provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion. Check the current course accreditation details and your registration requirements before claiming accredited hours.
Who is this autism training for?
The course is designed for parents and families, teachers and educators, education support staff, support workers, behaviour support practitioners, allied and mental health professionals who support autistic children and adolescents. No prior knowledge of autism or Positive Behaviour Support is needed.
Can I use NDIS funding to pay for the autism course?
NDIS funding may be available if this training is an appropriate purchase under the participant’s plan and current NDIS funding rules; funding is not automatically guaranteed for every plan-management type. To request an invoice, email dolly@behaviourhelp.com with the course name, participant details and proposed NDIS line item. Please confirm funding eligibility before purchase.
How long does the course take, and how long do I have access?
The course takes about 5 hours to complete, including the video modules and the course book activities. It is self-paced, and you have 12 months from the date of purchase to complete it.
Do I receive a certificate?
Yes. You will receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course. Teachers can use it as evidence of their professional development hours.
Will I be able to use the strategies straight away?
Yes. The course is practical. You will learn how to work out what a behaviour is communicating, then put prevention and support strategies in place at home, at school or in the community. You also receive a free Kindle copy of Dolly Bhargava's book, Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, so you can keep coming back to the strategies.
Is this course neurodiversity-affirming?
Yes. The course treats autism as a difference, not a deficit. It focuses on understanding each young person's needs, reducing barriers in their environment and teaching skills that help them communicate and cope. It does not aim to make autistic children appear less autistic.
Does the course cover autism alongside ADHD?
This course focuses on autism, but many autistic young people also have ADHD, and the PBS approach applies to both. If ADHD is also part of the picture, our ADHD Positive Behaviour Support course covers ADHD-specific strategies.