| Children with ODD need to learn to take | | | | alcohol and/or drug abuse, sexual promiscuity |
| responsibility for their behavior and not use | | | | |
| their diagnosis or disability as an excuse | | | | · problems with low self-esteem, low |
| for inappropriate behavior. They need help | | | | self-confidence, and/or depression |
| learning how to: | | | | |
| | | | The causes of ODD are unknown, but many |
| · Set limits | | | | parents report that their ODD child was more |
| | | | rigid and demanding than the child's siblings |
| · Curb sibling fighting | | | | from an early age. The symptoms are usually |
| | | | seen in multiple settings, but may be more |
| · Stop defiance, back-talking, lying and | | | | noticeable at home or at school. Five to |
| cursing | | | | fifteen percent of all school-age children |
| | | | have ODD. Biological and environmental |
| · Defuse explosive outbursts and | | | | factors may have a role. |
| uncontrolled anger | | | | |
| | | | Oppositional defiant disorder appears to be |
| · Stay on task | | | | more common in families where at least one |
| | | | parent has a history of a mood disorder, |
| · Do homework and chores | | | | conduct disorder, attention deficit |
| | | | hyperactivity disorder, antisocial |
| · Effective problem solving techniques | | | | personality disorder, or a substance-related |
| | | | disorder. |
| If their "acting out" has carried on for a | | | | |
| long period of time and goes against what is | | | | Oppositional Defiant Disorder does not occur |
| socially acceptable, then your teen probably | | | | alone: |
| has a behavioral disorder. If your teen is | | | | |
| self-destructive and adversely affects your | | | | · 50-65% of ODD children also have ADD |
| family, then his or her behavior is clearly a | | | | ADHD |
| problem. | | | | |
| | | | · 35% of these children develop some form |
| Symptoms of ODD include the following | | | | of affective disorder |
| behaviors: | | | | |
| | | | · 20% have some form of mood disorder, |
| · losing their temper | | | | such as Bipolar Disorder or anxiety |
| | | | |
| · arguing | | | | · 15% develop some form of personality |
| | | | disorder |
| · defying authority | | | | |
| | | | · Many of these children have learning |
| · refusing adult requests or rules | | | | disorders |
| | | | |
| · deliberately annoying others | | | | Teens with ODD plus ADHD are much more |
| | | | difficult to live with. Their destructive and |
| · blaming others for their own mistakes or | | | | disagreeable behavior is purposeful. They |
| misbehavior | | | | like to push their parents anger-buttons. |
| | | | Every request ends up as a power struggle. |
| · being touchy or easily annoyed | | | | Lying becomes a daily habit. Getting a |
| | | | reaction out of others is amusing to them. |
| · being angry and resentful | | | | They are rarely sorry for the hurtful things |
| | | | they say and do. And they believe nothing is |
| · being spiteful or vindictive | | | | their fault. |
| | | | |
| · swearing or using bad language | | | | Parenting strategies often include a home |
| | | | rules contract (i.e., a written set of |
| · moody and easily frustrated | | | | expectations that parents have of their teens |
| | | | and preteens). The contract includes basic |
| · truancy from school (dropped out or | | | | rules, consequences and privileges. |
| expelled) | | | | |
| | | | The primary purpose of a home rules contract |
| · increased involvement with, and loyalty | | | | is for teens to be held accountable for their |
| to, delinquent peer groups | | | | behavior while allowing parents to maintain a |
| | | | reasonable amount of control (i.e., teaching |
| · greater isolation from other peers, | | | | teens that there are consequences for |
| family members | | | | breaking rules, the knowledge of which |
| | | | hopefully will transfer in the teen's mind to |
| · stealing, shoplifting, running away, | | | | school rules as well as the legal system). |