Oppositional Defiance Disorder and other control disorders 

ODD is different to PDA, however we feel that some students where PDA has been suggested may in fact be presenting as ODD. 

PDA is an under researched and complex area, and we do not feel that our setting is the best environment for the majority of these cases, but we will always assess on a case by case basis. Many children with PDA would find the setting too small as they want a larger social group. 

ODD is often accompanied by anger issues and our setting is happy to deal with these as long as there is not a history of directing physical aggression at adults or peers. Students who are violent can't be catered for unfortunately, as many of our students have been victims of aggression and need to be kept safe. 

Some children presenting with ODD will 'push away' via their language, refuse to comply, sleep when they should be working etc. These children will not thrive in a more structured 'PRU - style' environment and sadly many of them have been placed in such places in the past to their detriment. They often have low self esteem and an over-active response to being asked to comply.

Such students often like and thrive in our environment as they have much more say in their day, learn to build a better emotional understanding and vocabulary and respond well to a logical solution-based therapy programme and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.