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

• Gain an understanding of Pathological Demand Avoidance;

• Look at PDA and its relationships with Autism, ADHD, gender;

• Understand the barriers and the impact they may have;

• Recognise the impact of PDA on school attendance and academic performance;

• Look at strategies and interventions for adapting communication and the sensory environment to meet the behavioural needs;

• Understand the key principles of positive behaviour management when working with those with PDA;

• Adapt age and level appropriate interventions;

• Gain an insight into Oppositional Defiant Disorder;

• Understand the barriers and the impact they may have;

• Gain an awareness of communication and sensory needs and issues;

• Practice strategies and techniques to address the barriers and modify impact;

• Explore ways to de-escalate challenging behaviour;

• Understand of possible triggers and behaviour;

• Work through case studies to further develop ideas and share experiences.

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who works directly or indirectly with students with Pathological Demand Avoidance / Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Ideal for school-based staff including teachers, head teachers, deputy headteacher, SENCo/ALNCo, special education teacher, classroom assistant, educational psychologists, school support staff and pastoral care staff and pastoral lead teacher.As well as multidisciplinary teams i.e. looked after children, foster care, adoption agencies, social services.

Trainers for this course

Karen Ferguson

BAEd QTS

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 disabilities 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 and condition specific training, including ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia. She has continued her own professional development throughout the years including a Masters in Education, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA formal qualifications. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Education.

Karen believes in a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and she is committed to ensure 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.