In Part 2 of Seb’s interview, we go deeper into what it’s really like to live with OCD and ADHD at the same time — not just as diagnoses, but as an ongoing internal tug-of-war.

Seb describes the clash between a brain that craves certainty, safety, and “doing things the right way,” and another that seeks movement, stimulation, and flexibility. Together, they create exhaustion, inconsistency, and behaviour that is often misunderstood in school.

This episode explores:
• The emotional and energy cost of managing that internal battle
• What teachers often miss when they focus on one diagnosis in isolation
• The difference made by teachers who truly understood
• Strategies that helped — and approaches that made things harder
• What an ideal school day could look like for students with OCD and ADHD

This isn’t about motivation or effort. It’s about reducing friction so students can meet expectations — not lowering them.

A must-listen for educators who want to move beyond “Why won’t they?” and start asking, “What’s colliding for them right now?”

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.

In Part Two of our conversation with Finn, we explore ADHD both inside and outside the classroom.

Finn reflects on how school experiences shaped his confidence, friendships, and everyday life — and how strategies that worked at school continue to make a difference beyond it. We discuss what inclusive classrooms really look like, and how teachers can create environments where neurodivergent students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive.

Tune in to Think Different, Teach Better for real stories and practical insights about supporting ADHD and neurodiversity in education.

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