How to Help Children With ODD

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a mental disorder that affects children and teenagers. A child with ODD is persistently defiant toward authority figures, often having negative feelings and large outbursts, questioning any authority, blaming others for their problems and suffering numerous outbursts throughout the day. In a child with ODD, her defiance becomes so overwhelming that it interferes with her ability to do everyday tasks like schoolwork, or even enjoy dinner with the family. ODD can be diagnosed early in some children, as they can exhibit these resentful symptoms at a young age without explanation.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit your primary care physician. Your physician will assess your child's health and situation, and be able to pair you with a counselor or psychiatrist who can further help your child.

• 2

  Go with your child to the mental health provider and discuss treatment. Prior to this appointment, make a list of your his symptoms. Also, keep a journal of his tantrums and when they occur. Write down any significant things about his medical history, as well as any questions you want to remember to ask at the appointment.

• 3

  Start your child on regular therapy sessions to keep her on a constant track to recovery. Your therapist will tell you how often he thinks your child should be seen in order to treat her ODD.

• 4

  Make an appointment to start parenting therapy for yourself, with your child's therapist. It's important to your child's recovery that you equip yourself with the tools to emotionally deal with his issues, and the knowledge of how to better help him. Parent therapy can teach you what you need to do at home.

• 5

  Assess whether your child should be on medication for their ODD. This is best done with your doctor and therapist, and usually they will bring it up first if they believe medication is needed. In most situations, medication is used when ODD presents along with another mental health problem.

• 6

  Stick with your regular therapy visits, for you and your child, and follow through with making changes at home accordingly. Often this includes more discipline from the parent, and some relaxing exercises for the child, but there are a variety of other changes your doctor may recommend, depending on your case.