Oppositional Defiant Disorder

1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder Brendan Schweda

2. Definitions • A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a student’s educational performance (as seen in the NYS Regs): - An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors. - An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers - Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances - A generally pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or - A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.

3. Specific DSM IV ODD Criteria • For at least 6 months, shows defiant, hostile, negativistic behavior; (4 or more of the following): -Losing temper-Arguing with adults-Actively defying or refusing to carry out the rules or requests of adults-Deliberately doing things that annoy others-Blaming others for own mistakes or misbehavior-Being touchy or easily annoyed by others-Being angry and resentful-Being spiteful or vindictive

4. Causes • *The exact cause of ODD is not known.* Some researches believe that cause may be related to certain biological and environmental factors, such as: • A child’s temperament and the family’s response to it • A child’s social skills • A child’s ability to communicate through language • How parents discipline and understand the child • The way a child’s body adjusts to arousal and stimulation

5. Having parents who are overly concerned with power and control • Disruptive childcare • An inherited disposition to the disorder, possibly both environmental as well as genetic • Neurological damage

6. A Few Facts • Studies show that five to 15% of all school-age children have ODD • All children display most of these behaviors from time to time • ODD does not usually exist alone: • Fifty to sixty-five percent of children with ODD have ADHD • 35% develop some form of affective disorder • 20% have some form of mood disorder • 15% develop some form of personality disorder

7. Connection to Conduct Disorder • Conduct Disorder (in DSM-IV): “repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which either the basic rights of other or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated.” • In the DSM-IV, a diagnosis of CD • preempts a diagnosis of ODD. *Focus on ODD symptoms may help prevent CD. However, some clinicians state that the relation of ODD to CD may be overstated.

8. Diagnosis • If a doctor suspects ODD, he or she will first: - Talk with the child and with their parents. - Review the child’s and the family’s history. - Obtain information about the child’s functioning in school. - Look for signs of other disorders in the child.

9. Treatment *Major treatments for ODD exclude medication* • Cognitive-behavior Therapy • Child Psychotherapy • Parental Training • Family Psychotherapy • Social Skills Training

10. Academic Modifications • Systematically teach Social Skills • Make sure academic work is at the appropriate level • Select Materials that encourage student Interaction • Pace Instruction • Post the Daily Schedule • Minimize downtime and plan transitions carefully • Allow the ODD student to redo assignments

11. References: • Sutton, James D. “The ODD Page.” DocSpeak. Ed. James Sutton. 10 Oct. 2006. <http://www.docspeak.com/ODD/index.htm>. • Baugh, C. “Oppositional Defiant Disorder”. Spsk12. 1 Oct. 2006. • Shaffer, Rick. “Difficult or Defiant: Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder.” Parenthood. 1 Oct. 2006. <http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=6960&printable=t rue>. • Kann, R. Traci; Hanna, Fred J. ”Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents: How Do Girls Differ from Boys?” Journal of Counseling & Development v78 n3 (2000): p267-74 • Johnson, James H. “Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder.” <www.hp.ufl.edu/~jjohnson/ODD.ppt> • Webb, James T. “Mis-Diagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children.” Annual Conference of the APA. (2000)