| First of all, it is important to understand why a child is | | | | Disorder? |
| being defiant. I know the impulse for many frustrated | | | | To be considered ODD, your child must exhibit the |
| parents is just to jump right into a solution. However, as | | | | following symptoms regularly for at least 6 months, |
| with any problem, it's necessary to understand the | | | | and the frequency of these symptoms must be well |
| "why" before you can begin to tackle the "how." Many | | | | beyond that of normal childhood behavior. |
| kids have not yet learned to distinguish the difference | | | | * anger and resentment toward other people |
| in power, authority and wisdom between themselves | | | | * never accepts blame for his/her actions |
| and adults, especially their parents. They feel as if they | | | | * constant and ongoing school problems |
| are equals in the home. What ends up happening is | | | | * often loses temper |
| that the child does not feel that his parents have the | | | | * looks to seek revenge on others |
| right to make his decisions, set the rules or tell him | | | | * does not do what is asked of him/her by an adult |
| what to do. Your child may say something like, "that | | | | * argues with adults |
| isn't FAIR!" or "why don't YOU have to go to bed? | | | | * doesn't have many friends and/or loses friends often |
| Why do YOU get to stay up as late as you want?" | | | | * touchy or easily annoyed |
| Often times, these occurrences lead to explosive | | | | Defiant kids and the family |
| interactions and the parents are afraid to set limits and | | | | Frequently, the defiance being exhibited by the child |
| boundaries because they are wary of the ensuing | | | | can be very difficult for his family to understand and |
| results. Most children have episodes of defiant | | | | can cause stress and problems within the family. Often |
| behavior on occasion, but a large number of children | | | | times family counseling can help everyone to better |
| actually have what is called Oppositional Defiant | | | | understand the dynamics of the problem and equip |
| Disorder (ODD). This is defined as a pattern of | | | | each family member with tools and strategies to more |
| disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward | | | | effectively handle the stress and frustration. It is crucial |
| authority figures. It can affect as many as 20% of | | | | especially for the parents of defiant children to |
| school age children and is more common in boys than | | | | understand the problem and develop the skills to cope |
| in girls | | | | with it. |
| What are the symptoms of Oppositional Defiant | | | | |