Supporting Children/Young People with PDA & ODD – Practical Systems & Strategies 

Course introduction

With the PDA Society ‘Being Misunderstood’ report highlights that 70% of children with a PDA are not in school or regularly struggle to attend. ODD is reported to affect between two and 16 per cent of children and adolescents in the general population, and is more common in boys. As well as studies show that at least 40 per cent of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have co-existing ODD. This course provides the necessary information, systems and strategies needed in schools and colleges today.

The training is designed to develop an understanding and awareness of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD).  We will look at the challenges and difficulties for children/young people in the classroom and how to manage some of the challenging behaviour that co-occurs with PDA or ODD. More importantly this course will teach effective strategies to ensure staff who work with pupils/students with PDA or ODD can support them to help meet their potential and manage their behaviour and access to the curriculum. There will also be opportunities to discuss specific challenges with the trainer and network with others.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Define and differentiate between Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), describing key characteristics, underlying drivers, and areas of overlap.

• Recognise and explain the impact of PDA and ODD on attendance, learning, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing across home, school, and community contexts.

• Analyse and interpret the Demand–Anxiety Cycle in PDA and escalation patterns in ODD, identifying common triggers and early warning signs.

• Select and apply evidence-based strategies to reduce perceived demands, de-escalate challenging behaviour, build trust, and improve engagement for both extrovert and introvert presentations.

• Design an individualised support plan using proactive planning, relationship-based practice, and collaborative problem-solving to promote positive outcomes for children and young people with PDA and/or ODD.

Target audience

This course is for professionals supporting children and young people with PDA or ODD, including teachers, headteachers, deputy headteachers, SENCo/ALNCo, special education teachers, classroom assistants, educational psychologists, pastoral leads, and school support staff. It is also designed for multidisciplinary teams working with vulnerable children, such as foster carers, adoption agency staff, social workers, and those supporting looked-after children.

Trainers for this course

Karen Ferguson

BSc (Hons), QTS, MEd, MA

Karen is currently working part-time in a mainstream Primary School as SENDCO, while the remaining part of her week is spent supporting and training. Karen started teaching science at a... mainstream secondary school in 2000 but moved into the SEND environment, working with children and parents to help them overcome their barriers to education to give them the skills to achieve their full potential. The majority of her training was on the job, which showed the need for training in this area. She was appointed as a Specialist Leader in Education for Autism, and this allowed her to disseminate good practice and deliver training in the field of SEND. Karen offers various SEND, Neurodivergent and condition specific training, including Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia. She has continued her professional development throughout the years, including a Master in Arts, Master in Education, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA formal qualifications. She is currently working towards her NPQSEN. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND, Neurodivergence and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing, and she is committed to ensuring that education is developed and delivered to as many people as possible.Read more

See what others have to say about us

Outstanding and useful training, it will be very valuable in my job role, so many useful strategies for PDA and ODD I can use.

Fab training, great trainer, definitely important to my job and helped considerably with my knowledge on ODD. Would highly recommend.

The training was excellent I will be taking quite a few tools back to work along with hopefully expanding on some of the practical already established. The training was enjoyable and fully interactive which made the course so much easier to absorb ideas.

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:15 am – 3.00pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email. PLEASE NOTE: We are going paperless from 31st August 2025. To reduce our environmental impact, NSM Training & Consultancy will no longer post printed delegate packs after 31st August 2025. If you book by 31st August 2025, you will receive a printed pack by post, after this date you will receive only your handouts via email (M&S voucher, a snack, and a pen will no longer be available). Same great content, now greener and more efficient. Thank you for your support as we go paperless.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please note – the cost is per person
• Please note – the early bird rate of £185+ VAT ends 28 days prior to the course date, after this the standard rate of £215+VAT will be charged.