Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): How to Support Pupils And Avoid Power Struggles

Ever worked with a pupil who argues about everything — even the things they secretly agree with?

In this episode, we unpack Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) — what it is, what it isn’t, and why traditional approaches like confrontation or “tougher boundaries” often backfire.

You’ll discover:

• The common myths that cause teachers to misread ODD behaviour
• The key differences between ODD and PDA (and why that distinction matters)
• How ADHD and ODD overlap, and what that means for your classroom
• What’s really driving the behaviour of pupils with ODD — including the roles of ontrol, safety, and predictability
• And four practical strategies to help you support these pupils without power struggles, conflict, or endless frustration

You’ll learn why your student’s defiance often hides distress — and how changing your response can change everything.

Important links:

Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbook

Download other FREE behaviour resources for use in school: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/resources

NEW and FREE: Live in-person ADHD training for SENCOs and school leaders in Walsall

Are the teachers in your school struggling to meet the needs of your pupils with ADHD? Then register for this free, face-to-face training and support session for school leaders and SENCOs in and around Walsall. You'll leave this session with more than just theory – we’ll give you a ready-to-use toolkit to use in your school that helps you calm classrooms, boost focus and more effec