Strategies for Oppositional Defiance

• Parenting a child with oppositional defiant disorder can be stressful. Michael Hitoshi/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, is characterized by an obnoxious, deliberate refusal by a child to listen to authoritative figures. Most often those authoritative figures are parents and teachers. While most children go through periods of defiance, especially during the toddler and adolescent years, those with ODD tend to do it more frequently and at a higher level of severity. Medical and behavioral health professionals recommend employing certain strategies in order to help you and your child to overcome the challenges associated with ODD.

Symptoms

• Children with ODD act out so frequently that it affects their home life, the ability to learn and social interactions. These children tend to be more stubborn and demanding than others their age. They often refuse to follow rules and direction, intentionally try to aggravate others, seek out revenge, speak brutally and are easily annoyed or angered.

Causes

• The exact cause of ODD is unknown, but there are several theories. It may be that the child simply doesn't outgrow the developmental stage of defiance often found in two- and three-year-olds. There could be a chemical imbalance present in the child, or it may just be his natural disposition. ODD may also be a result of parenting styles. Examples of poor parenting include lack of supervision, abuse or neglect, or inconsistent or harsh discipline.

Lifestyle Strategies

• The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends many strategies when working with a child with ODD. Parents should always focus on the positive, such as offering praise when your child shows flexibility. Your expectations as a parent should also be realistic and age-appropriate. This also should coincide with age-appropriate consequences. Children with ODD work best in a routine, especially if they have input in establishing that routine. As a parent, you should take a time out when you are about to enter a conflict with your child. The Academy also recommends choosing your battles. Focus on what is most important and work on those issues. Parenting a child with ODD can be stressful, therefore you as a parent should engage in healthy methods of relaxation like exercise or meditation.

Medical Strategies

• MayoClinic.com recommends psychosocial therapy as an integral part of treating a child with ODD. Therapy sessions can occur in numerous settings, such as family therapy, individual counseling and parental therapy. Ultimately the goal of these therapy sessions is to improve channels of communication for you and your child. Hopefully the child will learn to express himself more appropriately. There are also resources available in problem-solving for your child, social skills training and parenting training. Children with ODD may also have other disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and appropriate medications to treat those disorders may help in dealing with the behavioral problems of ODD.

Coping Strategies

• Dealing with a child with ODD can be extremely stressful. In order to be a good role model and an effective parent you need to take time for yourself, learn to relax and learn to forgive past mistakes made by you and your child and move forward.