What is ODD?
The child is touchy and easily annoyed by others. The child blames others constantly for their mistakes or misbehavior. ODD can vary in intensity: mild which is in one setting, moderate which is in two different settings, and severe with these behaviors occurring in more than one setting. One important thing to keep in mind that typical discipline methods usually don't work with children who have ODD. Often these children are removed from preschool programs and often babysitters refused to watch them anymore. Many parents find they have to change the way they parent. Here are two books designed to help parents understand ODD better: The Defiant Child: A Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Oppositional, Defiant & Disruptive Children and Adolescents: Non-Medication Appoaches for the Most Challenging ODD Behaviors.
According to Attitude Magazine, 40% of kids with ADHD also have ODD. If untreated, ODD can evolve into Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Conduct disorder includes problems of violence towards people or animals, destruction of property, theft or shoplifting or serious problems following rules at school or at home.
ODD can be treated if diagnosed early and if intervention begins in preschool or early school years. Your Developmental Pediatrician can evaluate and diagnose your child. While a child with ODD will not necessarily develop full-blown conduct disorder, the likelihood is greater if the behaviors are ignored until the child is older.
Understanding the function of behavior...
Behavior is a form of communication and always has a function. A function can help the child get something they want, it can help them avoid something unpleasant, or fulfill a need that isn't met.
Other reasons for unwanted behavior can include fear/anxiety, escape, attention seeking, sensory seeking, physical pain and sometimes control of a situation.
How can behavioral plans fail?
Not enough homework being done in the beginning of the process. In order for an approach to work, the function or reason for the behavior needs to be accurately identified. The replacement behavior should satisfy the function and be appropriate.
Not enough information regarding the child's motivation for their behavior.
Not enough support of preventative measures by teaching coping skills, social skills and problem-solving.
Common approaches revolved around just giving kids choices and build their self-esteem in the hopes they behavior better. Not including being told to stop the behavior or explain how to behave isn't included.
Bullying from peers not being address which escalates the behavior.
Classroom Suggestions for Children with ODD
Keep routines simple
Make sure the rules are clear, specific and consistently enforced.
Deal with behaviors as they of occur and work closely with the child's family and therapist to monitor her progress. Make sure you and the child's family have a specific and consistent method to communicate with each other.
Try to keep the child actively engaged in daily activities as much as possible.
What are some things parents can do to improve things?
Strategies for Parents Living With an ODD Child (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, being on top of their medication regime can help reduce symptoms.
Seek an ODD diagnosis so this can be reflected in your child's IEP/504 plan and seek a behavior plan.
If your child is between the ages of 2.5-7 years old, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) can be very helpful for parents feel more confident managing their child's behavior at home.
Behavior modification techniques under the supervision of a professional like a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a pediatric psychiatrist familiar with ODD.
Getting exercise especially in non-competitive situations like swimming or walking.
Martial-arts programs that are non-competitive (see sports/exercise tab) work well too.
Increase executive function skills and resilience towards adversity.
Subscribe to ADDitude a magazine that publishes strategies for ADHD and LD. Click on the following link to review it. https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/eSv?iMagId=09201&i4Ky=IU5A
Reach out to (CHADD) The National Resource on ADHD
Attend a CHADD Meeting: Lehigh Valley has a chapter that meetings once a month.
SUPPORT GROUPS:
LV ADHD Group:
Email: lehighvalleyadhd@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LehighValleyADHD
Lehigh Valley's Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
To improve the lies of those affected by ADHD through advocacy, support and education. Specific to this meeting, I'll share news about members of the local Professional Advisory Board and names/numbers of locally available support services. I'll brief attendees on development plans for our Facebook and CHADD webpages and ask for suggestions. The benefits of CHADD membership will be covered. As always, input from attendees is welcome.
When: on the 1st of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Luke's Bethlehem Campus,801 Ostrum Street,Priscilla Payne Hurd Building, Rm 104, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Parking is adjacent to the building
RSVP to Audrey Puzzoalpatwood414@gmail.com