Oppositional Defiant Disorder
What parents need to know about ODD - including symptoms and treatment information.
Symptoms of ODD
- Chronic aggression
- Frequent outbursts
- A tendency to argue
- A tendency to ignore requests
- A tendency to engage in intentionally annoying behavior
Children with ODD
- About half of all preschoolers diagnosed with ODD outgrow the problem by age 8.
- If left untreated, oppositional behavior can evolve into conduct disorder and more serious behavioral problems.
The ADHD Link
40 percent of children with ADHD also develop opposition defiant disorder (ODD)
- Some experts suggest that ODD may be tied to ADHD-related impulsivity. “Many ADHD kids who are diagnosed with ODD are showing oppositional characteristics by default,” says Houston-based child psychologist Carol Brady, Ph.D. “They misbehave not because they’re intentionally oppositional, but because they can’t control their impulses.”
- Other experts suggest that ODD is a way for kids to cope with the frustration and emotional pain associated with having ADHD.
Treating ODD
Step One: Make sure your child’s ADHD is under control. Typically, a doctor will put a child on a regimen of ADHD medication, which, in some cases, can also reduce ODD symptoms.
Step Two: Employ behavior modification techniques to help manage the condition.
Step Three: In severe cases, a child may need to see a family therapist trained in childhood behavior problems. It’s a good idea for the therapist to also screen your child for anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, all of which can cause ODD.
How Parents Can Help
Parent management training — in which parents learn to change the way they react to their child’s behavior — is often highly effective in treating ODD. Between weekly sessions, the parents practice what they’ve learned from the therapist and report back on their progress.
Keep the following in mind when starting a parent management training program:
1) Accentuate the Positive
Positive reinforcement is the heart and soul of parent management training.
- Don’t yell at or spank a child for bad behavior.
- Instead, teach through good example and positive feedback.
2) Enthusiasm Counts
Parents should be enthusiastic when praising their ODD child.
- Specify the praiseworthy behavior.
- Include some non-verbal gesture in your enthusiastic praise. For example, you might say, “It was wonderful the way you played so quietly while I was on the phone!” and then give your child a kiss.
- Tailor rewards and punishments to your child’s specific abilities and needs…
- But remember that consistency in the way you treat your child — the way you set rules and convey expectations — is the key to cleaning up an ODD child’s act.
 8 Comments:
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Posted by
frustratedmom
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May 6 2009 @ 2:02 PM
Mother of 5 year old with ADHD and ODD
having exhausted all efforts with therapy, medication, discipline, i'm beginning to feel like i've lost my sanity. does anyone have a child who nothing has worked for? his violence is not coming in bursts, it's ALL DAY! from physically causing harm to my 16 month old daughter and the two family dogs (among neighborhood kids and family members) i don't know what to do to make this stop! i cannot send him to kindergarden acting like this - i fear for the safety of the other children. my home is not a violent home and we don't tolerate foul language..i have no clue where he's getting this from! any suggestions would be greatly appriciated! i'm ready to take myself to the local stress center if i can't get him under control asap!
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Posted by
LuvinLyfWythADD
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Mar 3 2009 @ 10:48 AM
Response to "xDD term in A Couple Of Years"
I am a parent who is ADD and I have GAD and PTSD. I have 4 children, a 14 year old with severe ADD that has problems keeping friends because of her impulsive words and struggles in her academics although she is a very bright student. I also have another daughter who has GAD and suffers everyday with worry. I have two other children that we adopted, 1 with, are you ready for this one, RAD, GAD, ADHD, fetal alcohol affects, ODD, and sensory problems, however, she is academically gifted, but can't show her full potential because she is not currently medicated. My son, who is the other child we adopted is ADHD does well socially and academically so he is not medicated as of now.I am medicated as of 2 years ago for GAD and ADD and my oldest has been on and off meds and is currently back on meds because she shows much improvement in ALL areas when she is on her meds. Now, you can "claim" what you want about the meds, but unless you live it, you should not judge others and their lives. Infact, statistics have proven that children that are not medicated and have these "chemical imbalances" or disorders, whatever YOU want to call them, are more likely to "self-medicate", or in other words, use drugs, or become addicts, as they get older to make themselves feel "normal" to fit into society. I don't know about you, but I want my child/children to be successful and confident and feel normal without feeling that they have to "self-medicate" and then become addicts. That would be a horrible thing just because YOU think it's "HOGWASH".
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Posted by
MJDL
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Dec 14 2008 @ 7:37 PM
RE: Thinks he can handle it
Patrice-
What testing have you had done with your son? Is there any chance your child another disorder along with the ODD? 16 is such an interesting age for parents. The kids think they know everything... and you're right. You can't force them to do anything, only let them suffer the natural consequences. It's really tough to watch them self-destruct. They have to learn things the hard way. Is there some consequence you can give him to that will stick and you can enforce if he doesn't take his meds? Perhaps you could think of a reward if he does. That works better for my daughter anyway.
Good luck.
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Posted by
patrice
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Dec 12 2008 @ 1:56 PM
Thinks he can handle it
My 16 yr old keeps going off his med.. He does fine for about a week then all # breaks!He goes to school a junior ,struggles,but does pretty good with help from teachers.His mood comes and goes especially in the moring and late night.This morning he did not want to go to school complained for 45 min.,didn't go so grounded for a week.I want him back on his med but I can't force him or keep grounding til he does.ODD doesn't work that way! won't go to counsleing he says "I don't need it", yeah right!!My husband and I are at our ends and it effects our whole family. we have 3 boys, he is the only defiant one.My oldest 18 just graduated and working he is add, my youngest is 11 ,adhd.I'm worried he will pick up my 16 yr olds habits and I'm tired of tip toeing, I'm becoming resentful and about ready to give up if he doesn't want to help himself, stay on meds.He says "it's my life!,I wish!, any advise!
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Posted by
singlemomof1
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Dec 9 2008 @ 9:40 PM
Parent of a child w/ADHD & showing all the signs of ODD
I have a son who has ADHD and I've been through a lot with him especially being a single parent. Anyone who doesn't have kids or doesn't have kids w/ADHD, has no idea what you deal with everyday. My son needs these meds and I wouldn't change my decision of having him take them. Until you've had a child with ADHD and had to deal with everything that comes with it, don't judge any parent who has their child on medication. It's like any other disorder you take meds for, would you not take blood pressure meds or heart meds, it's no different. Until you've dealt with what parents of ADHD children deal with, you have no idea what their lives are like. Come walk in my shoes for a day, a week.
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Posted by
julie
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Dec 9 2008 @ 3:23 PM
As a parent of an ADHD child (9 years old) ..., and now ODD
and recently added with the diagnosis of ODD-- it is NOT just to sell drugs-- as I review the checklist of DSM requirements, they fit my son to a tee (and my other child does not exhibit ANY of these issues...other than "normal" defience). When you have an out-of-control, inflexible, intolerate child, they need as much support services as possible, and a diagnosis assists with making sure the child gets that needed support within the school.
and if there are drugs as you mention to make an ODD child within socially normal boundaries (and my boundaries have been known to be way too wide in parenting), please give me exact details, as I would like to investigate them!
We, as caring parents, are trying to help our kids grow into productive society members, not drug-addicts!
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Posted by
Mommyto6
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Dec 9 2008 @ 12:19 PM
As a parent of a child with ODD...
Guess you've (ENTP) never been in the mist of a tornado in your home because you've said no to that second candy bar! My adoptive, 4 yr old daughter (at the time) broke a car window with her outburst during an hour long spell...what started it? We were on our way to dinner with family and she woke from a nap wanting a soda. We were a block from the restaraunt and she was told she could have one as soon as we were seated. That wasn't fast enough for her so the "war" began. With these kids there is no compromising, no reasoning or concept of consequences.
Just a quick example of one of what was daily disruptions that has been reduced dramatically by meds. Yes we waited as long as possible and I shed many frustrated tears before consenting to meds, but my family could not continue on the eggshells just to keep her under control. By the way she is one of 6 children and the only one with this behavior, so I wouldn't blame the parenting!
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Posted by
ENTP
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Nov 22 2008 @ 11:19 AM
There'll be a new xDD term in a couple years
this is pure nonsense designed to sell drugs - to 4 year olds
nervous parents are such easy targets for this stuff, I promise there'll be more xDD terms conjured up over the next few years to ensure the next wave of kids is as drugged up as their older siblings
yes, ADHD children can be difficult, but the legalized drug dealing really needs to stop
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