Oppositional Defiant Disorder

What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

• What causes ODD?
• What are the behaviors and symptoms associated with ODD?
• What are the effects of ODD?
• What are some teaching strategies to use in the classroom?
• Community Resources

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What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD is defined as an ongoing pattern of behavior that is characterized by anger, irritability, as well as argumentative and defiant behavior towards those in authoritative positions.

Causes of ODD

• While there is no direct cause of ODD, it is believed that the environment, genetics, and the physical makeup of the person can contribute to the disorder
• ODD usually appears in children when they reach a late preschool or early school age

Environmental

• Chaotic home life- violence, arguments, and other turmoil within the home
• Negative Reinforcement- children are forced to beg for attention and time spent with the parent
• ODD is more prevalent in lower socio-economic groups

Physical

• Linked to abnormal amounts of certain types of chemicals in the brain
• These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, work together to keep themselves in check
• When there is an imbalance, the messages throughout the brain do not communicate with other parts of the brain and symptoms then begin to appear

Genetic

• Common for children with ODD to have family members who suffer from other mental illnesses such as mood, personality, and anxiety disorders
• 15% of children with ODD develop personality disorders later in life
• 20% of children with ODD also have a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder

Behaviors Associated with ODD

• Loses temper easily
• Argumentative
• Refusal to follow rules
• Deliberate actions to annoy others
• Always blaming others
• Unwilling to compromise
• Lasts at least 6 months

Symptoms of ODD

• Frustrates easily and frequently
• Concentration difficulties
• Failure to think before speaking
• Difficulty making and keeping friends
• Loss of self-esteem
• Persistently negative

Treatments

• Will vary from child to child and will usually include a combination of the following:
• Parent training and counseling
• Cognitive problem solving skills training to teach positive ways to handle stress
• Social skill programs to teach children how to positively interact with peers
• Medication used to treat concurring conditions such as ADHD and mood disorders

Effects of ODD

• inability to develop meaningful relationships
• Social isolation
• Difficulty in school
• About 10-30% of kids who have ODD will go on to have some form of a conduct disorder
• Kids who develop Oppositional Defiant Disorder before the age of 10 are the most likely to develop a conduct disorder
• 68% of kids with ODD will exhibit a lifelong struggle with impulse control

Behaviorally challenging kids are challenging because they're lacking the skills to not be challenging.
Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
The Explosive Child

Teaching Strategies

• Have clear expectations and follow them.
• Give choices. State clearly and walk away. Let the child have the space to choose.
• Give praise, but do so quietly, without drawing the attention of the entire classroom.
• Actively listen to the child.
• Use non-verbal cues to minimize the opportunities for arguments to start.
• Relax before responding to avoid getting pulled into a power struggle.
• Project calmness. Do not let the child see you lose your cool.

Community Resources

Community Resources

References

• Greene, R. W., Ph.D. (2014). The Explosive Child (5th ed.). New York, NY: Harper Collins.
• Signs & Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2017, from http://www.valleybehavioral.com/
• The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychaitry. (2009). ODD A guide for families by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychaitry [Brochure].
• W. (2014, October 23). 18 Intense Oppositional Defiant Disorder Statistics. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from http://healthresearchfunding.org/18-oppositional-defiant-disorder-statistic...