Embedded Files
Post Falls School District Elementary Counseling Program
Fact Sheet: OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD)
Information for Home
About ODD
What you may see at home
How to help your child
ODD is one of the more common mental health disorders found in children and adolescents
ODD is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior directed toward authority figures
Many factors put a child at risk for developing ODD including genetics, temperament and environment
ODD can range from mild to severe (over multiple settings)
Untreated ODD may develop into conduct disorder
Argues with adults
Actively defies or refuses to comply with adult requests or rules
Blames others for their own misbehavior or mistakes
Often angry and resentful and can be easily annoyed by others
Can be spiteful and vindictive
Questions rules
Symptoms seen in multiple settings (home, school, in neighborhood)
Language that is aggressive and often obscene
Consistently dawdle and procrastinate
Fail to listen
In a conflict, winning becomes the most important aspect of the disagreement
Uncooperative
Does not accept responsibility for their actions
Appears not to care about losing privileges as a consequence to negative behavior
Unwillingness to compromise or negotiate with adults and peers
Build on the positives, not the negatives
Model appropriate behaviors
Pick your battles, don’t engage in power struggles
Give them choices
Let them have control when you can
Provide consistency and structure
Have clear consequences for behaviors
Do not raise your voice, remain calm
Do not take the defiance personally
Make a “calm down” area available for the child and yourself
Seek counselor’s support
Plan family activities to promote positive interactions.
Additional Resources for Oppositional Defiant Disorder
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Empowering Parents Magazine
Child Mind Institute
ADDitude magazine
Report abuse