Some children demonstrate a persistent tendency to defy their parents, teachers and other adults. In addition, they may also display a tendency to harass or badger other children. Children who conduct themselves in this manner are frequently diagnosed as having Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). While it is common to encounter a child that is occasionally rebellious, the ODD child takes rebellion to a whole new level. A child who is ODD has a tendency to argue incessantly with adults and other children. They are also particularly defiant against authority figures. In addition, they have the unfortunate tendency to blame others when something goes wrong (Kane,2008). This diffusion of resonsibility leads them to make the same mistakes over and over.

Oppositional defiant disorder behavior is extremely disruptive socially, academically and on the job. ODD children can create havoc is the household as they often pit members of the family against each other. These children can be extremely manipulative. Another frequent and disturbing behavior in ODD children is that they are often vindictive about real or imagined insults and injustices causing many to justify acts of vandalism or aggression.

In school the ODD child may perform badly. Because they refuse to follow instructions, they often fail to complete assignments properly and more often they fail to even do the work. In addition, their anger management issues often result in conflicts and fighting which can make them a problem for the whole class.

Diagnosing a child for ODD is generally done by a health care professional. Because most of the symptoms are behavioral, an assessment will be made according to a child's personal history rather than through medical examinations. There are two behaviorist lines of thought about what causes ODD (Kane, 2008). One theory suggests that the child has not developed completely. This hypothesis suggests that the child becomes stuck in behavior that is normal in children at a much younger age.

Another theory presented by behaviorist for ODD is that a learned behavior that has been reinforced by the adults around them. Them get plenty of feedback from those around them even if it is negative. Despite the fact that a physical cause for ODD has not been identified, it is interesting to note that it frequently accompanies other conditions that may have a biological component. For example, ODD is often co-morbid with ADD, and bi-polar disorder. Many children who

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