The course is designed for practising educators who do not have a formal special education qualification. Units will examine the context of challenging behaviour and factors contributing to these behaviours and will also examine a range of structures and strategies designed to provide positive and practical support for students with behaviour difficulties within classroom and school community contexts. The course also identifies the range and features of severe behaviour disorders and links a broad spectrum of theoretical approaches and contempoary practices in behaviour management.

The aims are: to provide participants with knowledge, skills, understandings, attitudes and values needed to support the full range of learning needs of students having difficulties with behaviour; to build on participants' own knowledge of education and learning in relation to diversity in the classroom; to develop participant's understanding of support structures inside and outside the school (eg policy documents, personnel, community resources) and strategies available for teaching students with behaviour difficulties; and to develop skills necessary for collaborative practices in inclusive classrooms.

Intensive mandatory schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

The course articulates with the Master of Education (Special Education).