| Children with behavioral disorders are more likely to | | | | choices about how or when a task is going to get |
| take advantage of a parent asking them to do a | | | | completed. They need structure and guidelines. |
| chore or task rather than telling them to do the chore. It | | | | Telling the child to put away their toys after dinner is |
| leaves too much room for any child to tell their parents | | | | specific and time bound. When giving the command, |
| "no" or to begin bargaining about what they will or will | | | | make sure the tone of voice and body language |
| not do. Children with ODD are prone to defy their | | | | reflect a statement and not a question. It is confusing |
| parent's requests. This is not because they are trying | | | | to the child if the tone suggests they may have an |
| to be difficult but because their brain automatically tells | | | | option, when, in fact, they really do not. |
| them to be defiant. | | | | When a child refuses, calmly restate your command. It |
| How can parents reduce or eliminate some of these | | | | may be necessary to step closer to the child. This |
| defiant situations? Eliminate the options. It is not socially | | | | type of body positioning lets the child know you are |
| incorrect for a parent to tell their child to complete a | | | | serious. Stay firm in your direction and use your power |
| task. Parents often make the mistake of asking the | | | | as the leader/parent to get the task completed. |
| child to complete a task that they already know they | | | | Do you want to learn exactly how to eliminate your |
| want done. Why set yourself up for the frustration? | | | | child's out-of-control and defiant behavior without using |
| The parents are in the leadership position and that is | | | | Punishments, Time-Outs, Behavioral Plans, or |
| their right and duty. A child does not need several | | | | Rewards? |