Oppositional defiant disorder and bad behaviour in schoolsOppositional defiant disorder and bad behaviour in schools
All In The Mind
Aggression, not listening, interruptions ... bad behaviour is on the rise in schools. What's causing this trend? Is it parenting styles or the pandemic? Nurse Erin has had plenty of challenges with her son, leaving her family at the end of their tether. But one therapy just clicked. Today, a family's story of oppositional defiant disorder and giving Parent-Child Interaction Therapy a go. Can coaching parents through one-way mirrors and ear pieces help build stronger relationships? And why is PCIT so effective for kids with ODD? Guests: Erin Nurse and mother PCIT participant Professor Eva Kimonis Clinical Psychologist Director of the UNSW Parent-Child Research Clinic Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Producer: Rose Kerr Senior producer: James Bullen Sound engineer: Harvey O'Sullivan More information: Parent-Child Research Clinic at the University of New South Wales Partnering with schools to better deliver effective therapies Investigating Western Australian Teacher Perceptions of Young Children’s Challenging Behaviour in the Early Years (Kindergarten to Year 2): An Exploratory Analysis Landmark report warns wellbeing of Australian children at a crossroads Schools Plus Soul Search The neuroscience of spirituality with Iain McGilchrist To explore more great episodes from the award-winning psychology podcast All in the Mind with host Sana Qadar, download the ABC Listen app (Australia) or search 'ABC All in the Mind podcast' wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more episodes on mental health, trauma, attachment theory, wellness hacks, and family relationships. You'll also hear interviews with experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross. All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
28:57•17 Jul 2026
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, School Behaviour and a Mum’s Breakthrough with PCIT
Episode Overview
- Oppositional defiant disorder often shows up as the same behaviours typical kids have, but at a much higher frequency, making consistent positive parenting very difficult.
- Australian teachers are spending significant class time managing disruptive behaviour, with factors like the pandemic, increased screen time and permissive parenting styles contributing.
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy uses live coaching through a one-way mirror and earpiece to help parents strengthen relationships and set clear, calm limits.
- Combining warmth, labelled praise and clear, specific commands can reduce explosive outbursts and increase children’s willingness to follow directions.
- Early, school-based intervention with parents and teachers together can shift children out of the clinical range for ODD symptoms and improve long-term outcomes.
“It was the only time I've been genuinely unhappy because his behaviour was just so out there.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? Sometimes it starts with understanding the mind long before alcohol ever enters the picture. This episode of All In The Mind turns the spotlight on oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), rising bad behaviour in schools, and what happens when families feel totally worn out by their child’s outbursts.
You’ll meet Erin, a Sydney nurse and mum of two kids with ADHD, who describes the chaos of everyday life with her son Micah: fights over shoes, explosive meltdowns, and constant battles over simple routines. She admits, “It was the only time I've been genuinely unhappy because his behaviour was just so out there.” Her honesty will ring true for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re failing as a parent.
Clinical psychologist Professor Eva Kimonis then breaks down what ODD and disruptive behaviours actually look like in young children, why Australian classrooms are “among the most disruptive in the world”, and how factors like the pandemic, screen time and more permissive parenting styles are feeding into the problem.
The heart of the episode sits with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a structured program run in schools where parents are coached through a one-way mirror and an earpiece while they play and set limits with their kids. Erin shares a gut-punch moment when Micah calmly packs away his beloved magnet tiles instead of exploding, saying he trusted her enough to do what she asked.
She recalls telling him, “I'm so proud of you,” and you can almost feel the shift in their relationship. For people interested in recovery, mental health or breaking cycles of harm, this story offers a look at early intervention, emotional regulation, and how changing one relationship can change an entire family’s trajectory. It might leave you wondering: what patterns in your own life could shift with the right support and a bit of coaching?
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