ODD Online Course for Parents & Educators

Training Course Introduction

This ODD training course equips parents, educators and allied professionals with evidence-based practical strategies to understand and support children and young people with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) across home, school and community settings.

Using the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework, you’ll learn to look beyond the behaviour to its function, reduce triggers, teach replacement skills and improve quality of life for the child and those around them such as parents, foster carers and teachers.

You will have 12 months to complete the course from date of purchase.

Course Training Objectives

Overall aim

Equip parents, educators and allied professionals with a better understanding of Oppositional Defiant Disorder through a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) lens and implement practical, evidence based strategies that improve regulation, relationships and participation across home, school and community.

Learning objectives

(by the end you will be able to)

Knowledge:

Define Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and describe its key symptom clusters and severity specifiers.
Explain the FIDI framework (Frequency, Intensity, Duration, Impairment) to recognise clinically significant behaviour patterns.
Understand the underlying causes of ODD and how they interact with environmental, emotional, and developmental factors.
Describe the core principles of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and how it informs the development of a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), a Behaviour Prevention Plan, and a Behaviour Management/Response Plan.

Skills:

Conduct or contribute to a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA): identify antecedents, behaviours, and consequences, and generate testable function hypotheses.
Translate FBA findings into a Behaviour Prevention Plan that promotes supportive environments, positive interactions, skill-building, and activity modifications.
Design a Behaviour Management/Response Plan that is safe, dignified, and connection-preserving during escalation.
Teach and coach replacement skills, such as communication, emotional literacy, tolerance of delay or denial, and problem-solving, using appropriate reinforcement.
Collaborate effectively with caregivers, teachers, and the young person to set measurable goals, implement PBS plans, and track progress over time.

Course Curriculum

This course is structured into six progressive modules, each designed to deepen your understanding of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and guide you step-by-step through the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework.

Across the modules, you’ll progress from understanding what ODD is and why it occurs, to learning how to assess, prevent, and respond to behaviours in ways that promote regulation, safety, and connection. Practical, evidence-based strategies are woven throughout to help you apply the learning directly within your setting whether at home, school, or in the community.

By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of how to use the PBS tools to complete a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), develop a Behaviour Prevention Plan, and design a Behaviour Management/Response Plan. These tools will equip you to support positive, sustainable behaviour change in children and adolescents with ODD—with confidence, competence, and compassion.

Content		Course Time (hrs)
Module 1	Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder What is ODD? Diagnosing ODD Causes of ODD	0:00 - 1:15
Module 2	Introduction to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Assess-manage-prevent cycle	1:15 - 1:30
Module 3	Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) Individual profile Behaviour data collection Incident ABC Hypothesis	1:30 - 2:00
Module 4	Behaviour Prevention Plan Supportive environment Supportive interaction Supportive activity Teach skill	2:00 - 3:00
Module 5	Behaviour Management Plan Number of escalation stages Escalation stages description Stage specific de-escalation	3:00 - 3:45
Module 6	Conclusion	3:45 - 4:00
Course Resource	Read course book and complete course tasks	4:00 - 5:00

Course Resource

Accompanying Book

Included in this course is a Amazon voucher that will be sent to your email address. You
can use the voucher to get a free kindle copy of ‘Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder’ by Dolly Bhargava to accompany your study and provide lasting reference material after the course has been completed.

The book provides a step-by-step guide to assessing, preventing and managing emotional and behavioural difficulties and is the perfect companion for anyone taking this course.

The book can be purchased separately for self-guided study but is included for free as part of this course.

Start This Course Today

If you enrol via Teachable, you will automatically receive a receipt of payment.

If you would like an invoice issued to an organisation for payment, please email dolly@behaviourhelp.com and include the following details:

Organisation name
Course(s) you wish to enrol in
Participant names
Participant email addresses

If you would like to use NDIS funding to pay for a course, please email dolly@behaviourhelp.com with the following information:

Course name(s)
Child’s full name
Child’s NDIS number
The NDIS line item you would like the invoice raised against

Once enrolled, you will receive a Welcome email with course access details. Courses are self-paced and can be completed in your own time. A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.

PBS for Oppositional and Defiant Behaviours Online Course

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies for Oppositional and Defiant Behaviours is a comprehensive online course which will provide you with a toolkit of practical, evidence-based strategies to address oppositional and defiant behaviours behaviour in your child, whether or not they have a diagnosis of ODD.

You will be taught a range of behaviour management strategies to respond effectively to behaviours of concern and also to develop a behaviour support plan to support the individual develop positive ways of managing their emotions and behaving.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Strategies for Parents and Educators

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a pattern of angry or irritable mood, arguing, defiance and sometimes vindictive behaviour that lasts at least six months and affects a young person's relationships at home or school. The most effective ODD strategies focus less on winning arguments and more on understanding what drives the behaviour, preventing power struggles and teaching new skills.

Seven strategies that make a difference:

Stay calm and keep your voice low. Arguing back or raising your voice tends to escalate a standoff. A calm response models the regulation you want to see.
Avoid the power struggle. State the expectation once, clearly and briefly, then step back. Not every battle needs to be fought in the moment.
Offer limited choices. "Do you want to start with reading or maths?" gives the young person a sense of control while the task still gets done.
Notice what goes well. Young people with ODD often hear far more criticism than praise. Specific, genuine positive feedback strengthens the relationship and the behaviour you want.
Identify the triggers. Track when defiance happens, what came before it and what the young person gets or avoids as a result. Patterns point to what needs to change.
Teach the missing skills. Many young people with ODD find frustration, flexibility and problem-solving hard. Teach these skills directly at calm times, not in the middle of a conflict.
Be consistent across settings. When parents, teachers and support staff use the same approach, the young person learns what to expect.

When to seek more support: If the behaviour is causing serious conflict, putting anyone at risk or not improving, speak to a GP, psychologist or behaviour support practitioner. A Functional Behaviour Assessment and a tailored behaviour support plan can help.

This course takes these strategies further. You will learn to complete a Functional Behaviour Assessment, then build a prevention plan and a response plan for escalating behaviour. For parents, it works as practical ODD training you can apply at home straight away.

ODD Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is characterised by a persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentative or defiant behaviour, or vindictiveness that affects relationships and everyday functioning. Assessment considers the duration, frequency, developmental context and impact of the behaviours.

What are the common signs of ODD in children?

Signs can include frequent arguments with adults, difficulty following requests, irritability, losing temper, blaming others, deliberately annoying others or displaying vindictive behaviour. These behaviours need to be considered in context, including the young person’s developmental stage, communication needs and environment.

What causes Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

There is no single cause of ODD. Biological, developmental, psychological, family and environmental factors may contribute. Assessment should consider the individual child’s circumstances rather than assuming that all oppositional behaviour has the same cause.

Can ODD improve with support?

Yes. Children and adolescents displaying oppositional and defiant behaviours can benefit from individualised support, environmental adjustments, consistent approaches, positive relationships and opportunities to develop communication, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills.

What is the Behaviour Help ODD online course?

The Behaviour Help ODD online course teaches practical Positive Behaviour Support strategies for parents, teachers, educators and professionals supporting children and adolescents with oppositional and defiant behaviours. It focuses on understanding contributing factors, preventing unnecessary conflict, developing support strategies and responding appropriately to escalation.

Where can parents find an online ODD course in Australia?

Behaviour Help offers a self-paced Oppositional Defiant Disorder course for Australian parents and carers. It provides practical strategies for reducing power struggles, supporting daily routines, responding to behaviours of concern and teaching skills that support participation at home and school.

Is the ODD course suitable for teachers?

Yes. The course is suitable for teachers, education support staff and other professionals supporting children and adolescents with oppositional and defiant behaviours. It provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion.

Does a child need an ODD diagnosis for the course to be useful?

No. The Positive Behaviour Support strategies may be relevant to children and adolescents displaying oppositional and defiant behaviours whether or not they have received a formal ODD diagnosis. Support should be individualised according to assessed needs.

What strategies does the ODD course teach?

The course covers identifying factors contributing to behaviour, reducing unnecessary power struggles, offering meaningful choices, developing predictable routines, teaching communication and coping skills, recognising escalation and planning appropriate responses.

Does the ODD course include Functional Behaviour Assessment?

Yes. The course introduces Functional Behaviour Assessment as a way of gathering information, identifying behavioural patterns and developing hypotheses about contributing factors. These findings help guide individualised preventative and response strategies.

What is the difference between ODD and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?

ODD and the demand-avoidant profile sometimes described as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) can involve similar outward behaviours, but their presentations and support needs vary. PDA is not a standalone diagnosis in DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. Assessment should consider the young person’s communication, environment, experiences and individual circumstances rather than assuming the function of behaviour from a label.

Who developed the Behaviour Help ODD course?

The course was developed by Dolly Bhargava, an NDIS Registered Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner and Speech Pathologist with over 26 years of practical experience.

Is the ODD course accredited by NESA or TQI?

Behaviour Help is a NESA-accredited professional development provider, and the Behaviour Help ODD online course is individually accredited by the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI). The course provides 5 hours of professional development and a certificate of completion. NESA provider accreditation does not mean that NESA separately accredits or endorses each course. Teachers should record this learning in accordance with their state or territory teacher registration requirements.

How long does the ODD course take?

The course takes approximately 5 hours to complete, including video modules and course book activities. Participants have 12 months of self-paced access from the date of purchase.

Is a book included with the ODD course?

Yes. Participants receive a free Kindle copy of Dolly Bhargava’s book, Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Oppositional and Defiant Behaviour, to support the practical application of strategies after completing the course.

Can NDIS funding be used to purchase the ODD course?

NDIS funding may be available where the training meets the participant’s individual disability support needs and current funding requirements. Eligibility and payment arrangements should be confirmed before purchasing. For invoicing enquiries, contact dolly@behaviourhelp.com.