by Karen Ardy

Created on: July 08, 2009

"Spoiled, rotten brat!" It is certain that someone at some point is going to come to this conclusion about your child with Oppositional Defiance Disorder - or ODD. Although the causes are unknown at this point in time, these children do have mental deficits that may be a result of neurochemical imbalances, economic disadvantages or perhaps there has been poor supervision and child care in the past for the child. Your family may be experiencing instability or major changes. The child might simply have a temperament that lends itself to ODD or the child might believe that he/she is not getting enough time and attention from you. The reason why can be troubling and all consuming if you allow it to become your focus and your energies might be better spent learning how to effectively deal with the child. Their behaviour is challenging, frustrating and usually exhausting not only for the parent but for the classroom teacher as well. It is of the utmost importance to remember that they are not acting this way just to make everyone else miserable - they are miserable and suffering themselves.

Every child, at some point in time will demonstrate oppositional behaviour. This is a normal and important part of proper child development. It is when this behaviour becomes more than the expected "norm" that it moves into the realm of "disorder". If your child displays the following symptoms for a period of at least six months, he/she may be one of the one in ten children currently being diagnosed with ODD.

* Frequent temper tantrums
* Arguing with adults
* Will not comply with adult requests
* Assumes no responsibility for his/her own actions or mistakes
* Shows anger and resentment about perceived unfair treatment
* Attempts to "get back" at people
* Is aggressive with his/her friends
* Seems to be unable to keep friends
* Is having trouble learning in the classroom
* Attempts to deliberately annoy others

The diagnoses of ODD may seem overwhelming and hopeless at first but when this disorder is managed early on, the treatment can help your child build a healthy self-esteem and encourage better and more positive relationships within your family.

The successful treatment of ODD requires much time and commitment on your part and idealy, your child's teacher will also make the commitment to enter into the treatment program. You need to demonstrate unconditional love and acceptance of your child even on the most difficult days. This will

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