Odd
Oppositional defiance disorder is a vexing problem that many parents face. There are some strategies for dealing with this disorder that will help you deal with the aggravation and frustration of having a child or adolescent with ODD. The more you know about oppositional defiance disorder the better you will be able to deal with it.
The ODD condition basically concerns the child’s or adolescent’s failure to follow directions and comply with adult commands. The child will refuse to listen to others and will defy parental direction and interventions. Oppositional defiance disorder tests the parents’ patience and strength.
Some families seek counseling for the oppositional defiant child and this is the first step to recovery. Interventions can be developed to deal with the behaviors associated with oppositional defiance disorder. Some of the interventions seem quite simple but they can be very effective in the treatment of this problem.
One approach is to negate any face-off with the child. Once the child is backed into a corner there is no recourse for the family or therapist to take other than compromise. Compromising when in a face-off will only encourage the stubborn behavior to repeat itself in the case of oppositional defiance disorder.
A preventative measure that can be taken when dealing with an individual who has oppositional defiance disorder is to offer choices when the child is faced with a task that he does not want to complete. The parents are offering compromise to the defiant child before there is an issue with compliance.
For example, the child may have a fit over doing homework. Parents can allow the child to choose which subject he will complete first, where he will complete the task and whether he will do his homework before or after dinner. Allowing the child who has oppositional defiance disorder to make choices will give him a sense of control.
There are instances in which control is not as important as having the child follow through with the directive. I worked with a young girl who had oppositional defiance disorder. We were working in a community setting and she was directed by her parents to ascend the stairs in an office building.
The child blatantly refused to comply. The parents continued to the meeting and I was left with the task of getting this oppositional defiant child up the stairs. Compliance is not an issue for me as long as the child does what I want. I decided to allow her to have the upper hand.
I sat one step higher than she was sitting and told her that she had to sit on the lower step. Of course, she ascended to the step above mine. We continued the process until we were both at the top of the stairs. The oppositional defiance disorder is one that can be dealt with in a number of ways especially if you are willing to relinquish control from time to time.