| All children can be aggressive and unruly sometimes, | | | | If your child does have Oppositional Defiant Disorder, |
| but is it really a cause for worry? Sometimes, it may | | | | they are not alone. About 16 percent of children also |
| be. If your children are continually aggressive, hostile, | | | | have this disorder. Raising children with this particular |
| disobedient and defiant, they may have this disorder. | | | | disorder can defiantly be a strain on even the most |
| Although most kids and teenagers tend to be a little | | | | patient parents. At however, parents can find tips on |
| stubborn, and do the opposite of what their parents tell | | | | dealing with children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, |
| them (reverse psychology was invented for a reason!), | | | | as well as techniques to better reduce the symptoms. |
| it is important to be able to distinguish whether this is | | | | There are a number of different treatments for |
| your child’s personality, or something more serious. | | | | Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Children can be placed in |
| Some children are naturally defiant and have temper | | | | psychotherapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral |
| problems (which are usually the result of some deeper | | | | therapy, and social skills training. There are also Parent |
| anguish). This obviously can cause parents to stress, | | | | Training programs which help keep parents up to date |
| family problems, and possibly cause the defiant | | | | on their children’s progress, as well as teaching |
| behavior to increase. If you feel that your child is acting | | | | parents the different disciplinary techniques. In a parent |
| out for some reason (non-disorder related) please | | | | training program developed by psychologist Russell |
| visit Parent Learning Club, where you can find helpful | | | | Barkley, parents are taught to increase a child’s |
| solutions to your child’s behavioral problems. | | | | compliant behavior through positive reinforcement. |
| Here are the criteria that children must fall under to | | | | Another treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder, is |
| have oppositional defiant disorder. Remember, before | | | | the medication Risperidone. As with any medication, |
| jumping to any conclusions, you should consult a | | | | you must consult a doctor to see if this is right for you. |
| doctor. | | | | Any pharmaceutical drugs can cause dependency and |
| Technically, to be diagnosed with oppositional defiant | | | | a number of different side effects - so it's important |
| disorder, children have to exhibit at least 4 of these | | | | that as a parent you do your due diligence to weigh |
| behaviors for about 6 months: | | | | the dangers of the medication against alternative |
| - Often losing temper | | | | solutions like what the Happy Child Guide recommends. |
| - Often arguing with adults | | | | Oppositional Defiant Disorder is also associated with |
| - Actively defying and refusing to comply with | | | | Conduct Disorder. About 50 percent of children with |
| adults’ rules or requests | | | | untreated Oppositional Defiant Disorder also develop |
| - Deliberately annoying people | | | | Conduct Disorder later in life, so it is very important to |
| - Blaming others for their mistakes of misbehavior | | | | address behavioral issues as soon as you notice them |
| - Frequently being touchy or easily annoyed by others | | | | popping up. |
| - Often angry and resentful | | | | There is some controversy regarding Oppositional |
| - Exhibiting spiteful or vindictive behavior | | | | Defiant Disorder, however. Many do not regard |
| Of course, Oppositional Defiant Disorder is more than | | | | behavior problems such as these as a disorder, and |
| just falling under some common criteria. This behavior | | | | explain these behaviors simply as “kids being |
| also has to be significantly impairing a child’s ability | | | | kids.” This is the same controversy that surrounds |
| to perform in social and academic settings. Also, these | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder. However, whether you |
| behaviors have to be more than just a symptom of | | | | believe the above symptoms are tied to Oppositional |
| other personality or behavioral disorders. | | | | Defiant Disorder, or simply “kids being kids,” |
| If your child meets the above criteria, then your child | | | | behaviors such as the ones above should be |
| also meets the definition of Oppositional Defiant | | | | addressed immediately. |
| Disorder. | | | | |