Season 2, Episode 5 - Part . Seb's Story: What Teachers Don’t See - OCD and ADHD in the Classroom

In this episode of Think Different, Teach Better, Seb shares his lived experience of navigating school with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — with a particular focus on how OCD is often misunderstood in educational settings.

Diagnosed with OCD in Year 6 and later with ADHD in Year 9, Seb reflects on what school felt like before and after diagnosis, how these two conditions interacted internally, and how behaviours were frequently misinterpreted by adults.

This conversation offers educators valuable insight into the internal experience of OCD — beyond common stereotypes — and highlights how thoughtful, flexible teaching practices can make a meaningful difference for neurodivergent students.

Content warning: This episode includes a brief reference to suicide and self-harm.

Part 2 continues the conversation, exploring what didn’t work, what schools can learn, and how classrooms can be designed to better support students with OCD and ADHD.