During 2023, we decided to focus on raising awareness and understanding of OCD in schools. This section will be developed over time, but we wanted to make a start for those who need information now. If you would like to ask about something specific, please do email ocd.org.nz@gmail.com.
Local articles for teachers.
An introduction to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which is a resource produced in partnership with the Education Hub in New Zealand – a charitable organisation that creates resources for school staff and advocates about educational issues.https://theeducationhub.org.nz/an-introduction-to-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
One student’s experience of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which is a complementary piece published by The Education Hub. Https://theeducationhub.org.nz/one-student’s-experience-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder https://theeducationhub.org.nz/one-students-experience-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
Inclusive education – Let’s talk about OCD which was created for Ako – NZEI Te Riu Roa’s journal for educational professionals such as school teachers and support staff.
https://akojournal.org.nz/2024/07/18/inclusive-education-lets-talk-about-ocd/
B. International resources for teachers
The International OCD Foundation which is based in the United States has developed a website called Anxiety in the Classroom which provides information and advice on supporting students experiencing anxiety and/or OCD.
https://anxietyintheclassroom.org/
There is a practical and informative book published in 2011 by Gail B Adams titled Students with OCD, A Handbook for School Personnel https://www.amazon.com/Students-OCD-Handbook-School-Personnel/dp/0983436401. Currently this can be ordered via Amazon (as of April 2023).
The advocacy organisation OCD Action https://ocdaction.org.uk/resources/which is based in the United Kingdom, as is the organisation OCD-UK, has produced several booklets on OCD at School and OCD at University.
Eli Lebowitz’s Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) programme has a focus on how parents can support their child by changing their own parental responses (over which they have control) rather than relying on their child’s engagement with treatment.
SPACE principles and strategies can similarly provide school staff with a compass to guide their responses to anxiety and OCD in the school context.
To learn more about SPACE, try some of these resources: an interview on The OCD Stories podcast, a short film, a TED talk and books for parents and clinicians for example ‘ Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD’.
https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-eli-lebowitz-306/
https://www.spacetreatment.net/manual-and-books
UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie is a short film in which children talk about their experience of OCD. It can be viewed online for a small fee, or for free via Kanopy for which many NZ universities and some public libraries have a subscription.
Similarly an episode of the Attitude TV series features an NZ family in which two sisters both live with OCD, anxiety and depression – and one has the added challenge of Tourette syndrome.