THE LABELS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

If you’re worried, Halligan says, talk to your child’s special educational needs coordinator, or get an educational psychology report, either through the school or privately. The following terms are just labels; but a diagnosis may be a useful first step.

ODD (OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER)

A pattern of angry/ irritable mood, argumentative behaviour or vindictiveness, falling short of actual aggression or destructiveness.

PDA (PATHOLOGICAL DEMAND AVOIDANCE)

Characteristics include refusal to do what is asked, even if it’s something the sufferer would normally enjoy.

SID (SENSORY INTEGRATION DYSFUNCTION)

The brain has difficulty organising and responding to sensory information.

ASD (AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER)

A complex range of disorders that include autism and related conditions.

ADHD/ADD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER/ ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER)

Physical hyperactivity or excessive restlessness (in ADD the hyperactivity is absent).