Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Brendan Schweda

Definitions

 A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a student’s educational performance (as seen in the NYS Regs): - An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers - Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances - A generally pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or - A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

Specific DSM IV ODD Criteria

For at least 6 months, shows defiant, hostile, negativistic behavior; (4 or more of the following): -Losing temper -Arguing with adults -Actively defying or refusing to carry out the rules or requests of adults -Deliberately doing things that annoy others -Blaming others for own mistakes or misbehavior -Being touchy or easily annoyed by others -Being angry and resentful -Being spiteful or vindictive

Causes



*The exact cause of ODD is not known.*

Some researches believe that cause may be related to certain biological and environmental factors, such as: • A child’s temperament and the family’s response to it • A child’s social skills • A child’s ability to communicate through language • How parents discipline and understand the child • The way a child’s body adjusts to arousal and stimulation

 Having parents who are overly concerned with power and control  Disruptive childcare  An inherited disposition to the disorder, possibly both  environmental as well as genetic Neurological damage

A Few Facts

Studies show that five to 15% of all school-age children have ODD All children display most of these behaviors from time to time ODD does not usually exist alone:

    Fifty to sixty-five percent of children with ODD have ADHD 35% develop some form of affective disorder 20% have some form of mood disorder 15% develop some form of personality disorder

Connection to Conduct Disorder

•

Conduct Disorder (in DSM-IV):

or rules are violated.” “repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which either the basic rights of other or major age-appropriate societal norms • In the DSM-IV, a diagnosis of CD preempts a diagnosis of ODD.

*

Focus on ODD symptoms may help prevent CD. However, some clinicians state that the relation of ODD to CD may be overstated.

Diagnosis

If a doctor suspects ODD, he or she will first: - Talk with the child and with their parents.

- Review the child’s and the family’s history.

- Obtain information about the child’s functioning in school.

- Look for signs of other disorders in the child.

Treatment

*Major treatments for ODD exclude medication* • Parental Training • Family Psychotherapy • Social Skills Training • Cognitive-behavior Therapy • Child Psychotherapy

Academic Modifications

• Systematically teach Social Skills • Make sure academic work is at the appropriate level • Select Materials that encourage student Interaction • Pace Instruction • Post the Daily Schedule • Minimize downtime and plan transitions carefully • Allow the ODD student to redo assignments

References:

Sutton, James D. “The ODD Page.” DocSpeak. Ed. James Sutton. 10 Oct. 2006. < http://www.docspeak.com/ODD/index.htm

>.

Baugh, C. “Oppositional Defiant Disorder”. Spsk12. 1 Oct. 2006. Shaffer, Rick. “Difficult or Defiant: Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder.” Parenthood. 1 Oct. 2006. .

Kann, R. Traci; Hanna, Fred J. ”Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents: How Do Girls Differ from Boys?” Journal of Counseling & Development v78 n3 (2000): p267-74 Johnson, James H. “Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder.”

h

p.ufl.edu/~j

johnson

/ODD.ppt> Webb, James T. “Mis-Diagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children.” Annual Conference of the APA. (2000)