Teaching & Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Medical professionals are uncertain of the causes of oppositional defiant disorder; however, there are common traits associated with the disorder that can be highly disruptive in a classroom setting. It is important to understand children with oppositional defiant disorder, so you can develop classroom strategies to deal with them and methods for handling outbursts.

Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Children with oppositional defiant disorder may engage in tempter tantrums and display argumentative behavior, hostility towards authority, aggressiveness, refusal to follow rules, an inability to maintain relationships and poor academic performance. Potential causes of the disorder can include abuse, neglect, developmental problems and chemical imbalances in the brain.

Classroom Structure

• Setting up a well-structured classroom with clearly defined boundaries can help prevent problems from children with oppositional defiant disorder and other disciplinary problems. By making sure rules and expectations are stated clearly, you can establish an expected routine that is less likely to act as a trigger for a child with oppositional defiant disorder child. You should also make sure the consequences for misbehavior are consistent and fair to prevent reprimands from escalating into arguments.

Diffusing Confrontations

• Children with oppositional defiant disorder may seem to be constantly on the lookout for an argument, especially with a teacher because of the teacher's position as an authority figure. When confrontations start, these children will be especially prone towards escalation. Some methods to diffuse a confrontation can include offering praise to the student for positive behaviors, keeping all criticism constructive, remaining calm during outbursts and using non-derogatory jokes to lighten the mood. Above all, pick your battles with a child with oppositional defiant disorder carefully for maximum effectiveness.

Counseling

• Even if you don't have reason to suspect abuse or neglect, a child with oppositional defiant disorder may benefit from counseling. An child with oppositional defiant disorder may be unable to function appropriately in the classroom, despite your best efforts as a teacher. If your student is unable to keep his temper in check, you should have him take advantage of trained counselors offered by the school. If you choose to suggest this option to your student, make sure you present the idea in a positive light, with no humiliation attached to the decision.

Additional Measures

• If other options fail, there are things you can suggest as a teacher, but most additional options will require direct parental involvement and permission. Request a meeting with the child's parents and let them know you think the child has oppositional defiant disorder, if they don't already know. Suggest that the child see a physician specializing in serious behavioral disorders. Anger management, psychological counseling and even prescribed medications may help the child with oppositional defiant disorder have a brighter future both educationally and socially.