Page 44 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria June 2014

oppositional defiant disorder

T
he school year is nearing an end and some parents may be
breathing a sigh of relief after a difficult semester of chal-
lenges and defiance from one of their more oppositional
children. While all children can be oppositional from time to time,
particularly when tired, hungry, stressed, or upset, openly hos-
tile behavior deserves more serious consideration when it is so
constant that it stands out from other children of the same age.
Children who occasionally argue, talk back, disobey, and defy par-
ents, teachers, and other adults, behave in a manner that is often
a normal part of development for 2- to 3-year-olds and even early
adolescence. However, openly uncooperative and hostile behavior
needs to be addressed when it seriously affects the childs social,
family, and academic life.
Symptoms of ODD can include: frequent temper tantrums,
excessive arguing with adults, questioning rules, active defiance
and refusal to comply with adult requests, deliberate attempts to
annoy people, blaming others for their misbehavior, being touchy
or easily annoyed by others, frequent anger outbursts, mean and
hateful talking when upset and spiteful attitudes, or revenge seek-
ing. ODD symptoms may be observed in multiple settings, but they
can also appear in just one area like home or school. Depending
on the research, up to 16 percent of all school-age children meet
the criteria for ODD. The exact causes of ODD are still being stud-
ied but physiological, psychological, and social factors may have
a role.
Caring for a child who displays symptoms of ODD can be very
difficult and draining for parents. Traditional parenting approaches
often make matters worse, but parents can improve their influence
on their child with ODD by using some of the following techniques:
Communicate expectations in the form of choices not demands
Build on the positives affirm your child when they show prog-
ress, flexibility or cooperation
Dont just give your child time-outs take one yourself if you are
about to lose your temper and make the conflict worse
Pick your battles your child has trouble avoiding power
struggles so prioritize the discipline you give when you give a
consequence, dont add time for arguing. Just say your time will
start when you go to your room.
Set up age appropriate limits with consequences that can be
consistently enforced.
To avoid burn out in parenting maintain interests other than your
child with ODD and manage your stress with healthy life choices
including exercise and relaxation.
Work with and obtain support from the other adults (counselors,
teachers, and your spouse) dealing with your child
If your child displays symptoms of ODD, they first need a com-
prehensive evaluation to screen for other disorders which may be
present such as: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
learning disabilities, mood disorders (anxiety, depression, and
bipolar disorder), or trauma. The most effective interventions for
ODD include parent management training programs to help par-
ents and others work as a team to manage the childs behavior,
individual counseling to teach the child more effective anger-man-
agement, family counseling to improve communication, cognitive
problem-solving skills training and social skills training to increase
flexibility and frustration tolerance with peers. Children with ODD
often respond well to positive parenting interventions. For more
assistance, seek consultation from a qualified mental health pro-
fessional who can diagnose and treat ODD and any coexisting
psychological conditions.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 309-681-5850
or go to www.chapinandrussell.com.
Help for Parents of
Children With ODD
By Bradley A. Post, LCSW, CADC, with Chapin & Russell Associates
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