Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Teaching Strategies

• Seat pupils with a settled peer or calming influences

• Agree a calm area or safe haven

• Short, chunked tasks

• Rest breaks

• Opportunities to move around where possible

• Low key tasks for anxiety or stress

• Anticipate emotional turbulence and act beforehand

• Set tasks with clear goals and expectations

• Clear and consistent routines

• Label the behaviour - not the pupil

• Calm but firm and fair approach

• Element of choice in tasks

• Use positive adult language at all times

• Use signals for when a pupil becomes agitated

• Catch the pupil being good

• Praise often

• Use humour to settle

• Avoid sarcasm

• Planned reward systems

• Build confidence and self esteem gradually

• Build a positive relationship built upon mutual respect and trust

• Share a common belief that they can achieve

• Listen actively without enforcing your own opinions

• Ensure the pupil knows that they are valued

• Support organisation

•  A range of opportunities for social and emotional development e.g. buddy systems, friendship strategies, circle time

• Visual timetable to support familiar routines

• Time out systems within the classroom

• Calming strategies

• Clear communication with parent/carer

• Allow pupils time to regulate - speak to them once they are in the right frame of mind to do so