Parenting the Difficult Child
Children with ADHD may also exhibit oppositional, defiant behavior and even have a conduct disorder. When this happens, parents may face physical aggression, unhealthy reactions to discipline and screen-time limits, verbal abuse, extreme rejection sensitivity, refusal to do chores, and unhealthy social relationships and choices. In these cases, extra help is needed. Here it is.
Popular in Parenting the Difficult Child
ADHD Comorbidities & Related Conditions
What Is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?
Everyone gets angry. But even if you occasionally explode, that is not necessarily a symptom of...
ADDitude for Professionals
A Clinician’s Guide to Impulsive Aggression
Impulsive aggression is a feature observed in patients with ADHD, OCD, DMDD, and bipolar disorder....
Guest Blogs
“How I Helped My Son Stop Hitting Classmates”
When my child started hitting classmates, I spared the rod and did some behavior modification. It'll...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
What Does Oppositional Defiant Disorder Look Like in Children?
Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) include regular temper tantrums, excessive arguments...
Meltdowns & Anger
5 Things to Do When Your Child Is the Bully
You might be used to your child being the victim of bullying — but what about when he becomes the...
Oppositional Behavior
Back From the Brink: Two Families' Stories of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a serious, family-straining condition often associated with...
Ask the Experts
How Do I Manage an Aggressive, Bullying Middle-School Student?
Do you have a student with ADHD in class who is a good student but aggressive to the point that she...
Dear ADDitude
Dear ADDitude: How Can We Stop the Violent Outbursts?
"My son has shown some violent and defiant behavior at school. He complains that he is bored, and I...
Ask the Experts
Q: My Son Threatens Violence to Get His Way
When you tell your son "No," does he lash out in anger and threaten to break things? If you give in...
Ask the Experts
Q: My Oppositional Tween Refuses His ADHD Medication!
A child with ADHD who is also oppositional and defiant may refuse to take his ADHD medication....
Ask the Experts
Q: How Can I Teach My Son to Better Manage His Anger?
For many children with ADHD, there is only hot or cold — enraged or calm. And as they age, those...
Teens with ADHD
"I Think I Hate My Teenager"
Guilt, anger, and grief are natural responses to raising a child with special needs. Take care of...
Making Friends
In This House, We Don’t Tolerate Bullying
Bullies prey on kids who stand out or who struggle with social skills. Too often, children with ADHD...
Positive Parenting
Don’t Mistake Your Child’s ADHD Symptoms for Bad Behavior
Your child is not deliberately willful, disobedient, scattered, demanding, obnoxious, aggressive, or...
Guest Blogs
“Raising My Sensitive Child Was Hell"
When a Cheerio hitting the floor leads to hours of relentless screaming, you’re in a parenting hell...