Bad Behavior or Something Bigger…Learning More about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Having trouble with your child’s behavior? (What parent doesn’t?) Think it’s more than just a bad attitude? Does your child frequently exhibit any of the following behaviors (more than normal)?

• frequent temper tantrums
• excessive arguments with adults
• refusal to comply with adult requests
• always questioning rules; refusal to follow rules
• behavior intended to annoy or upset others, including adults
• blaming others for his/her misbehaviors or mistakes
• easily annoyed by others
• frequently has an angry attitude
• speaking harshly, or unkind

If you are seeing a lot of these symptoms consistently and they’ve lasted longer than 6 months, your child could be suffering from a condition called oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. As many as 1 in 5 school-aged kids has this condition, it is estimated, according to a news release from last week.
“All children behave badly from time to time. However, when bad behavior becomes routine behavior that is an indicator that there is a more serious problem developing,” said Dr. Robert Reynolds, a Clinical Psychologist at Connecticut Educational Services (CES), in the release.
According to a news release from May 25, 2010, the condition afflicts more boys than girls and can begin showing symptoms as early as pre-school.
“ODD is extremely disruptive and distressing for families,” said Dr. Reynolds. “That is why it is critical that the problem be identified early and appropriately treated. If the child with ODD has siblings, often they suffer as well, since so much of the family’s resources are taken up by the disruptive child. Interestingly, the vast majority of children with ODD only demonstrate these disruptive behaviors at home, rarely at school. As a result, many parents struggling to manage a child with ODD often conclude that it is their fault since he only behaves this way at home. They can therefore be reluctant to seek outside help, thus allowing the problem to become entrenched”.
“It is still important to determine when and how the behaviors are occurring and what setting events or environmental things are going on to exacerbate behavior,” Dr. Kimberly Harrison, a licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW) and assistant professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, told Family First. “The other thing is to avoid arguing or negotiation because these kids will do it all day long!”
The good news is that treatment does not have to include pharmaceuticals, according to Dr. Reynolds.
“It’s not that I’m against the use of medications, but they should be the treatment of last resort since, given the chance, the vast majority of children can be helped without having to medicating them. At CES, it’s ‘skills before pills’. In other words, we teach children with ODD and their families the skills they need to succeed in life”, stated Dr. Reynolds.
Dr. Reynolds supports the use of neurofeedback training, which is basically teaching a child how to “manage their own brains.” After a brain scan identifies the problem areas, Dr. Reynolds help the child retrain their brains to help control the impulses. “And once they’ve learned how to do it, they never forget it. It’s like learning to ride a bicycle; once you learn how to, you never lose the ability”, concluded Dr. Reynolds.
Dr. Robert Reynolds has been on the leading edge of neurofeedback training since 1978 and was the first practice to offer the treatment in Connecticut. As a result, his clinic has become a sought after resource in helping students, families, schools and individuals cope with attention, learning and behavior challenges across the lifespan. Connecticut Educational Services utilizes the most advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques and provides all evaluations and treatments through highly trained licensed professionals.
Throughout the year, Dr. Robert Reynolds provides free educational seminars for parents of children with mental health conditions, as well as in-service school training that focus on classroom behavior management.
For a list of upcoming informational seminars or for more information on, call Connecticut Educational Services at 860.343.0227 or visit www.ct-ed.com.