Can You Tell Me Anything About Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) ?

All children are oppositional from time to time, particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset. They may argue, talk back, disobey, and defy parents, teachers, and other adults. Oppositional behavior is often a normal part of development for two to three year olds and early adolescents. However, openly uncooperative and hostile behavior becomes a serious concern when it is so frequent and consistent that it stands out when compared with other children of the same age and developmental level and when it affects the child's social, family, and academic life.

In children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), there is an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that seriously interferes with the youngster's day to day functioning. Symptoms of ODD may include:

frequent temper tantrums
excessive arguing with adults
active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules
deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
blaming others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
often being touchy or easily annoyed by others
frequent anger and resentment
mean and hateful talking when upset
seeking revenge

The symptoms are usually seen in multiple settings, but may be more noticeable at home or at school. Five to fifteen percent of all school‑age children have ODD. The causes of ODD are unknown, but many parents report that their child with ODD was more rigid and demanding than the child's siblings from an early age. Biological and environmental factors may have a role.

Treatment of ODD may include: Parent Training Programs to help manage the child's behavior, Individual Psychotherapy to develop more effective anger management, Family Psychotherapy to improve communication, Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy to assist problem solving and decrease negativity, and Social Skills Training to increase flexibility and improve frustration tolerance with peers. A child with ODD can be very difficult for parents. These parents need support and understanding.

Parents can help their child with ODD in the following ways:

Always build on the positives, give the child praise and positive reinforcement when he shows flexibility or cooperation.

Take a time‑out or break if you are about to make the conflict with your child worse, not better. This is good modeling for your child. Support your child if he decides to take a time‑out to prevent overreacting.

Pick your battles. Since the child with ODD has trouble avoiding power struggles, prioritize the things you want your child to do. If you give your child a time‑out in his room for misbehavior, don't add time for arguing. Say "your time will start when you go to your room."

Set up reasonable, age appropriate limits with consequences that can be enforced consistently.

Maintain interests other than your child with ODD, so that managing your child doesn't take all your time and energy. Try to work with and obtain support from the other adults (teachers, coaches, and spouse) dealing with your child.
Manage your own stress with exercise and relaxation. Use respite care as needed.

Many children with ODD will respond to the positive parenting techniques. Parents may ask their pediatrician or family physician to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist, who can diagnose and treat ODD and any coexisting psychiatric condition

Good Luck

M.,

I feel for you. I wasn't sure if you said he was 4 or 10 years old-- makes a bit of a difference. Also who said he was borderline ODD and what experience do they have with this condition? In my opinion we have become a labeling society. If this child does not fit the mold there must be something wrong with the child? If 5 -15% of kids have this and the others are ADD or ADHD could it be the mold that is wrong?
My son is 9 yrs and has been Strong willed from birth. Strong Willed in that he wants it his way, and he will rebel if he feels he does not have a choice in the matter. He is not defiant unless backed into a corner. I am exactly the same way. Ways I dealt with him when he was small was to change my approach. Instead of saying put on your jacket, I would ask him which jacket would you like to wear. That way he felt he had control in the matter and I still got a jacket on him. I would ask him questions instead of making demands. Now at his age I just say please put a jacket on, he knows he gets to pick and easily complies. (the jacket is an example). A friend of mine is so strong willed that in college she backed through a drive thru window, just to prove she didn't have to pull forward. Oppositional maybe - did it harm anything or anyone no. She is now director of a large private school.
You are the only advocate your child has with the teachers. I go and meet each teacher at the begining of the year and tell them how to best interact with my son. His daycare providers have had to learn that when he is angry do not get in his face, he will not back down when cornered - but leave him alone ie time out and in 5-10 minutes he will be apologizing for making a wrong choice.
Emphasize that he is not a bad boy, he just makes bad choices sometimes. My three have learned personal accountability by separating the person from the act, or choice..they also no that good choices reap good rewards, and bad choices reap negative rewards.

Good luck to you... just remember no one knows your son like you know your son.

L.

Hi M.:
You know, I have to agree,that positive reinforcement is key for your son. You know,It would almost appear, that in the last 10 years or so, we've been infected world wide!! Thousands of our children,suffer from ADD, ODD.Hell, They have a list as long as your arm of all these disorders. I have 6 siblings,and every single one,of us,would have fit the profile listed here. Not one of us were labeled,or have any hangups as adults. lol Maybe the DRs. today, are afraid of offending and losing patients.They come up with an ailment as an excuse for our childrens poor behavior. How unprofessional and inexcusable for them to play with so many young lives. How about telling it like it is? Some,parents would benifit greatly by practicing better parenting skills. They could retain their sanity,and the child wouldn't become dependent on meds! I can hear it now........Wellllll "Mrs. Jones"It certainly can't be anything your doing wrong!! "So its YOUR KID! "We'll make him Meek and mild, "A good little boy 24/7 and you won't have to change your methods, one little bit. I'm not suggesting you are one of these parents. I am saying We all go through stages,we all have tempers. Some worse than others. We all have a stubborn side, some more bull headed than others.We all are unique. Parents need to take more time,in understanding the different stages,and the changes that occur,physically and mentally as their children get older.We became who we are by (trial and error)we weren't given instruction books on exactly how to be wonderful parents, so, all you can do, is your best.If one way doesn't seem to work,then you attempt something different. Maybe even the opposite. You may even try spending some one on one time with him.He may be a totally different boy. It takes a great deal of patience,compassion,sacrifice,and dedication,but then...they are so worth it. I wish you and your darlin son the very best.

As a teacher I've encountered this. Lots of kids are difficult, but I actually had one diagnosed by Dr. as ODD. To handle this student I had to choose my battles. Unfortunately in my situation, I can only do so much in one class period, but boy were those trying times!

I would give extra positive attention to the things he was good at, and make sure discipline was out of the public eye. I tried to emphasize his choices rather than tell him what to do (and of course, offer limited/acceptable choices). He was certainly not exempt from class rules just b/c of his diagnosis!