Understanding and managing oppositional defiant disorder

Children with oppositional defiant disorder may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Having a short temper
• Being irritable
• Always arguing
• Refusing to follow rules
• Throwing temper tantrums
• Provoking others
• Seeking revenge
• Etc.

It is important to note that oppositional behaviour can sometimes be explained by factors besides ODD. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a health professional to get to the root of the issue. Possible causes of oppositional behaviour include the following:

• Attention deficit disorder
• A language disorder
• A mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder)
• Anxiety
• A difficult situation (e.g., parental separation, moving, the loss of a loved one)
• Etc.

Interacting with a child who has ODD can be exhausting. Fortunately, there are things you can do as a parent to help break the cycle of oppositional behaviour:

• Reinforce positive behaviour (e.g., praise your child for following directions or playing quietly)
• Avoid arguing (e.g., take a step back and stop interacting with your child to keep the situation from escalating)
• Do not compare your child to others
• Set no more than three or four rules at once and give your child one instruction at a time
• Do not give yes-or-no options (e.g., ask if your child would prefer to pack their school bag before or after breakfast)
• Spend quality time together (e.g., play sports, read together, go for walks)

It can also help to work with your child’s teacher. As a team, you can do the following:

• Warn your child about any changes in the classroom that could trigger their ODD symptoms
• Share successful strategies with one another
• Praise your child when they do something well at school
• Etc.