Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Although some form of defiant behaviour is natural in children, there is a marked difference between normal behaviour, when a child is testing boundaries of acceptable behaviour, and the condition referred to as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
Unlike other behavioural disorders in older children and teenagers, ODD is typically seen in children younger than nine years old. A full diagnosis is required to separate the more severe ODD from what could be termed as normal defiance or just plain stubbornness. There are key indicators and behavioural patterns that can allow a professional diagnosis to determine whether or not a child has ODD. Once that diagnosis has been completed then a pro-active course of therapy tailored to the specific child’s needs can be implemented to reduce the incidences of disruptive or overly defiant behaviour.
What are the symptoms of ODD?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is described as an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behaviour toward authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behaviour. There are two arenas in which a child’s behaviour is particularly noticeable – at home and at school. Occasional outbursts are to be expected with any child, but if a pattern of disruptive behaviour starts to emerge, further investigation as to the root cause of these outbursts is warranted, particularly if the child’s actions cause them difficulty in everyday functioning or in relating to their social group. Indicators of a pattern of ODD can include:
- Frequent and/or extreme temper tantrums
- Blatant refusal to comply with household or school rules
- An argumentative stance with adults and authority figures
- Violent and aggressive communication with a limited range of positive expression ability, particularly when upset
- Deliberate attempts to upset others, both physically and verbally
- Rude, uncooperative and confrontational attitude
It can be extremely difficult for parents to gauge if their child has ODD, as almost all children go through stages where their attitude becomes confrontational and aggressive. The key factor is if this behaviour develops into a pattern. The symptoms of ODD can also be found in children with other disorders such as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety issues, mood disorders including bipolar disorder or depression and some learning difficulties. In this instance, expert intervention is required.
Causes of ODD
The exact causes of ODD have yet to be determined, as human behavioural studies of aggressive or disruptive behaviour have shown that there are a wide range of trigger points that may instigate a pattern of aggressive behaviour. Some studies are looking into the possibilities of a biological trigger and that overtly aggressive or defiant behaviour may run in families. However, although the causes of ODD remain to be determined, there are positive treatment options that can be used to counter the trigger points that initiate disruptive behavioural patterns.
Treatment options
Verbal communication is at the forefront of any form of treatment for ODD. Often, the child is frustrated in their lack of ability to communicate their needs or requirements to their social group. There can often be a specific language component which a child has not developed, which can remain undetected by most professionals. It is this frustration that can often lead to aggressive outbursts as the child falls back on a pattern of behaviour that may facilitate a resolution to a situation in their favour. By targeting behaviour and communication, Verbal Behaviour can reset boundaries and raise the levels of communication available to the child so that they do not have to resort to negative or aggressive communication techniques. Behavioural therapy and social training skills can help children with ODD to increase their problem-solving skills while learning to interact more positively with their peers and authority figures such as teachers and parents. As they learn to adapt their use of language to a less confrontational level, their feelings of frustration at not being understood will diminish and a tendency to resort to aggressive or over-emotional behaviour will reduce.
At VBC, we work closely with both the learner and their social group including families and, where necessary, teaching staff to encourage an understanding of the child’s condition. Through Verbal Behaviour we encourage the child to learn to express themselves in a more positive and socially acceptable way, how to control their emotions and channel them into more positive and less disruptive behaviour patterns by identifying trigger points that cause the initial outbursts.
For further information on ODD,
contact us in confidence for an initial discussion.
