School saying ODD diagnosis is an excuse

[only20yearstoretirement]

12yo, almost 13, in year 8. No real behaviours until he started high school whereby its all gone very wrong.

I went down Right to Choose earlier this year and was surprised to get seen so quickly. Diagnosis of ADHD and ODD. We are now awaiting medication referral which will be a long time.

In the meantime school are being unhelpful and saying they think ODD is just an excuse and they won’t put anything in place for that element of his behaviour.

What can I do?

Excuse for what types of behaviours?

Support in school is based on needs, not diagnosis.

The school must make reasonable adjustments. Assuming this is a state mainstream school, they must also make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN. If the school is not doing this, have you escalated the matter up the chain? Follow up all verbal conversations with emails so you have a paper trail as evidence should you require it at a later date.

Does DS have an EHCP?

@only20yearstoretirement

Is the diagnosis Oppositional Defiant Disorder, OP?

How is he affected by this on a daily basis?

https://www.priorygroup.com/private-camhs/oppositional-defiant-disorder-odd

It's unusual to get both diagnoses, although there is a significant overlap.

What are school's plans for next steps? Are they considering other placements?