Isabelle 
Defiant Oppositional Disorder (ODD, OD what??)
Does this image look familiar?
ODD Definition according to Hopkins medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder. It is mostly diagnosed in childhood. Children with ODD are uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
What does it mean if a child is diagnosed with ODD / OD?
Is your child argumentative? And will he/she even go out of their way to antagonize others just to get their way? Is your child even vindictive and vengeful (ex: He hurt me so I’ll hurt him even more)?
If you are nodding yes to any of these as you’re reading this, then there’s a big probability that your child might have an Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
In other words, your child defiant, combative, refuses to follow the rules, and wants things done their way.
Don’t freak out!
This doesn’t mean your child is bad if they have ODD!
It simply means that your child needs some extra help in regulating his/her emotions, and needs to find ways to work within our society. You also, as a parent, need to learn how to deal with your child without making the situation escalate and get worst.
We, as parents often have the mentality that we’re the parents and children need to listen to us. Well, it’s not as simple as that when it comes to an ODD child. Our regular parenting skills need some “tweaking.”
Here’s a Little Bit of Information For Parents Who Have A Child With ODD / Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Did you know…?
ODD, Is more common than you may think.
1% to 20 % of children and adolescents have ODD. It typically begins by age 6-8.
In younger children, it is more common among boys, but as children grow up, we see that ODD is more equal in both boys and girls.
Children who exhibit a persistent pattern of oppositional behavior during preschool years, (not to be mistaken with typical Tantrums!) , these are also more likely to be diagnosed with ODD during their elementary years.
References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK332874/
Do you think your child might have ODD?
To be diagnosed by a professional, your child must have at least 4 symptoms from the following list for a consecutive six months minimum:
- Angry/Irritable Mood
- Often loses temper
- Is touchy or easily annoyed
- Often angry and resentful
- Argumentative/Defiant Behaviour
- Can argue with authority figures or with adults (if a child or adolescent)
- Will actively defy or refuse to comply with requests from authority figures
- Often (and deliberately) annoys others
- Will mostly blame others for his or her mistakes or poor behaviour
- Vindictiveness
- Has been spiteful, or vengeful at least twice within the past 6 months
AGAIN’ DON’T FREAK OUT
Maybe your child has many of the symptoms listed above. This doesn’t necessarily mean he/she has ODD. To be sure, you need to have an assessment done and then you’ll be in a better position to evaluate your child’s and family’s needs.
Parenting A Child With ODD / Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Can be difficult, and hair ripping too, but here are a few tips to help you along the way.
When working with an ODD child, it is important to keep a low and calm voice. Yeah, it’s hard!
Keep talking in that same way, even when asking your child to do something. If you have to ask a second time for the same thing, remind them: ” I’m asking you a second time. Do you understand what I’m asking of you and what consequences you will have if you don’t?”
Make sure your child knows what the consequences are in advance. Don’t go overboard with the consequences. It won’t help!
If you have to ask a third time, your child will suffer the pre-arranged consequence. Example: no TV or video games for an hour. Whatever it is, the consequence should fit the misbehaviour for it to matter to your child. AGAIN, Don’t go overboard with the consequences. And KEEP YOUR VOICE LOW AND CALM!
Get Everyone on the Same Page
It’s important to have all of the family members that are involved know all that’s going on. Also get the school involved. It can help.
Do Not Take ODD Personally
(I know, easier said than done!)
But when an ODD child lashes out, usually they don’t mean what they say. So yeah, don’t take it personally, please. When an ODD child gets angry, so many things will go through their minds. They will say everything they can to get a reaction from the authority figure. It’s extremely important not to react and to keep your calm.
All of these seem easy enough, WRONG!
It can take a toll on parents. Finding a good therapist to help you out and to talk to helps a lot.
Here Are Some Resources That Can Help You Parent A Child With ODD
The Defiant Child: A Parent’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Overcoming Oppositional Defiant Disorder: A Two-Part Treatment Plan to Help Parents and Kids Work Together
