Strategies For Kids With Oppositional Behaviors
Working with kids and young adults who are oppositional can be challenging. Being oppositional might mean refusing to do work, breaking rules, and engaging in other challenging behaviors. The truth is, many kids can be oppositional from time to time, so many of these strategies work with all learners. With that said, these strategies are truly aimed at learners who are more significantly oppositional and defiant. These are the students who demonstrate challenging behaviors on a regular basis, purposefully do the opposite of what is told, engage in arguments, and might even show aggression.
Whether or not your student is diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, it can be helpful to understand the disorder. Many of the strategies and techniques can be helpful for all kids who are displaying defiant or disruptive behaviors on a regular basis. If you think a child or young adult might have oppositional defiant disorder, it is important to talk it over with a professional in your area.
Simply put, kids and young adults who demonstrate oppositional behaviors are often in need of significant interventions and supports, not punishments. The list below highlights several strategies for before, during, and after challenging behaviors.
PROACTIVE STRATEGIES
- the moment. Read up on different de-escalation strategies you can use or grab this free de-escalation strategies printable as a reminder.
Ways To Help Students With Odd
Offering kids choices, safe spaces, and positive reinforcement can help teachers avoid problemsor manage them when they arise.
Most children will, at times, argue and test limits. Yet some kids are defiant and hostile to a degree that interferes with their daily livesbehavior thats sometimes diagnosed as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, according to a story by WeAreTeachers.
Students with ODD disrupt their own lives and often the lives of everyone nearby, write the reports authors. push the limits of defiance far beyond reason. Their problem behavior is much more extreme than that of their peers, and it happens much more often.
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, kids with ODD exhibit an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that seriously interferes with the childs day-to-day functioning, for six months or more. Symptoms like frequent temper tantrums, excessive arguing with adults, and mean and hateful speech when upset, are usually seen across multiple settings, but especially at home or school. While a direct cause remains unclear, biological, psychological, and social factors may have a role, the academy notes. Up to 16 percent of children may have the disorder, and children with ADHD are especially prone.
Genetic And Biological Factors
suggests genes are responsible for about 50 percent of a childs risk for the condition.
Children with a family history of depression or ADHD also have a higher chance of developing ODD.
Some brain imaging also points to differences in some parts of the brain. These parts help regulate impulse control, problem solving, social behavior, and empathy.
These irregularities may factor into the development of ODD, especially when combined with other factors.
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Phrase Directives In The Positive And Remove The Word Can
For example, instead of stop jumping on the furniture or can you stop jumping on the furniture? try something like sit down or come down off the couch in a calm, but confident tone.
If possible provide an alternative activity or redirect them to something they like to do like lets do jumping jacks together or here are some puzzles/blocks to play with.
Children respond much better when you tell them what to do rather than what not to do. Anything you want your child to stop, you can phrase in the positive by giving them a clear direction of what you want them to do. Giving an explanation such as you can fall or that can damage the couch is often helpful as well.
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Use Transition Warnings To Let Your Child Know What Is Coming Next
Here are examples of transition warnings, In ten minutes it is time to turn off your video games and come eat dinner or After this show, it is time for homework. Give some more reminders as the time is winding down .
A timer or visual timer can be helpful for children who dont have a concept of time.
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How To Engage Pupils With Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Fintan ORegan outlines how schools should look to navigate the challenges presented by pupils with oppositional defiant disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder is a term that divides opinion because many dont consider it to be a real condition yet that the traits it refers to are very real indeed.
Children and young people with ODD argue with adults. They refuse and defy. They can be angry and defensive, spiteful and vindictive.
All children will likely exhibit these traits at some point indeed, we can all have bad days, however old we are but its the intensity with which these traits present themselves that might lead to an individual receiving a diagnosis or assessment of ODD.
In my experience, ODD tends to be a secondary outcome of some other underlying need often features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that have yet to be recognised in the child, with the childs frustration manifesting itself in defiance.
Where ODD overlaps with ADHD, its worth noting that the latter is a condition centred on impulsivity, and that youll therefore be dealing with behaviour thats not premeditated. Generally speaking, if the child does something wrong against someone, theyll feel empathy afterwards.
Children With Oppositional Defiant Disorder Are Blatantly Disobedient Disrespectful And Confrontational Standard Discipline Strategies Dont Work So What Do You Do Follow The Odd Strategies In This Video To Restore Order To Your Home
Children with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder take defiant behavior to the extreme. When traditional discipline methods dont work, what do you do?
In this video, learn eight new discipline strategies for ADHD and ODD in children.
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Avoid Arguing Long Lectures Or Sarcastic Remarks About Your Childs Behavior
Stick to your rules and dont negotiate, go back and forth, or argue with your child. However, also consider your own rules and whether they are appropriate for your child. For instance, you wouldnt expect a three-year old to never jump in the house because jumping, and movement, in general, are developmentally appropriate for a three-year-old.
Once your rules are in place and your child is aware of them, state them as needed. If your child starts to argue or tantrum after you have stated the rule and given empathy, let them know that you are not going to discuss it anymore. Do not give in to a temper tantrum.
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Once the tantrum is over you can praise your child for calming down, provide empathy again if needed, and listen if your child wants to talk about his/her feelings. Then direct your child back to the task he/she is expected to do.
If your child is acting unsafe, protect him/her and others from harm but do not try to negotiate with your child or give in to the tantrum in order to make it stop. This will only lead to more tantrums in the future. If you are ever concerned for the safety of your child or anyone else, contact the crisis center or emergency number in your area.
While there is no one method that works for every single child, these are the methods that are backed by research, and personal experience has proven just how well they work.
How Is Odd Diagnosed
There is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose ODD. A mental health professional will ask you questions about your childs behavior and symptoms. He or she will also talk to your child and observe him or her in different situations. The mental health professional may also talk to your childs teachers, baby-sitter, and other adults who care for him or her.
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What Are The Symptoms
Symptoms of ODD often begin by the time a child enters preschool, but nearly always by early adolescence. In general, children typically show signs by the time they enter school.
Sometimes, these signs only show up in one environment or with one individual. For example, children with ODD might only show symptoms at home with family members, or around people they know fairly well.
More severe symptoms, however, usually show up in multiple contexts, where they can affect social relationships and development along with school or work.
Parenting Strategies For Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Are you racking your brain on parenting strategies for Oppositional Defiant Disorder ? Do you know a child with ODD and you want more information? Here are ten parenting strategies that are proven to be effective.
Parenting a child with a defiance disorder is difficult and it will require you to implement new strategies. We are here to help provide a few suggestions.
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Dont Care What Other People Think
This is the hardest, yet probably most helpful, strategy.
There are many social norms wrapped up in how we see parenting. I find it most helpful to just ignore it. Everyone has an opinion, but no one is living it for you. Only what you can live with matters, not the opinions of others.
Expect that others wont get it so what they think about how you are parenting doesnt matter.
We know that parenting a child with ODD is not easy. It requires skills far beyond what typical parenting requires. With these methods, you can do your best to keep peace in your home and help your child grow to be a productive adult.
Do you parent a child with ODD? What strategies work for you? Share in the comments.
If parenting a child has become too unsafe or difficult, they might need residential treatment. Click here for the best residential treatment programs for ODD.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder Strategies: 8 Discipline Rules For
Children with oppositional defiant disorder are blatantly disobedient, disrespectful, and confrontational.
Standard discipline doesnt work. Instead, follow these strategies for how to discipline a child with oppositional defiant disorder:
1. Treat before you punish.
Never discipline your child for behaviors that are symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Opposition and defiance are sometimes neurological not intentional. Once your treatment plan has impulsivity under control, you will know which acts are punishable.
2. Exercise away hostility.
A potent tonic for the brain is daily physical exercise for ADHD. It promotes healthy brain function and helps children control aggression.
3. Know your childs patterns.
Note when and where your childs anger flares. Documentation may help identify triggers and suggest effective interventions.
4. Be clear about rules and consequences.
Explain what behavior is expected, and exactly what consequences your child will face for breaking the rules. Then, consistently enforce those rules.
5. Stay cool-headed and under control.
Instead of overreacting and teaching your child to fear mom or dad breathe deep and be a model of how to behave when youre upset.
6. Use a code word like bubble gum.
This is a private signal that tells your child to calm down. Your child can also use it to express that he is getting upset. Sometimes, just the words no and stop can push an emotional child over the edge.
7. Stay positive.
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How Can A Teacher Best Support A Child With Odd
Dr. Wilkins suggests implementing the following strategies.
Dr. Wilkins suggests implementing the following strategies: positive reinforcement, consistent rules, and consequences working as a team with home and creating a behavior plan. Here are some tips for implementing those and other effective strategies in the classroom.
1. Work together on a behavior plan.
Behavior plans address the prevention of challenging behavior and what to do when they occur. Its a written plan usually put together with input from the teacher, administration, student support services, parent and the student, as much as appropriate. A written plan helps ensure everyone is on the same page.
2. Document to find patterns.
Dedicate a notebook to the child with ODD. Jot down the time and whats happening when undesirable behavior occurs. Once you have several days or weeks of data, look for patterns. Are the major outbursts during transitions, before lunch, when its time to do math? Then you can work to determine why and how to make it less triggering. Aso write down whats happening when the student is being calm and compliant so you can try to replicate those conditions more often.
3. Use positive reinforcement.
Pay close attention to positive choices the student makes and focus on them instead of the negative. You hung your backpack up so quietly this morning. Good work! or It was so kind of you to offer your classmate paper when they said they left their notebook at home!
4. Keep your cool.
The Classroom Management Of Odd Pupils Cant Be Left To Chance
If you have a child with ODD in your classroom:
- you need a joined-up set of strategies proven to manage their specific behaviours successfully
- you need them from day one
Learning from your mistakes is not the way to go.
Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder actively seek out confrontation, are quick to argue and actively disobey adults.
If we fall into the trap of managing pupils with ODD in the traditional way with simple systems of classroom rewards and consequences we may actually be encouraging inappropriate behaviour.
If you want success, you need the right approach from day one.
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Implications For Planning And Awareness
- Meet with the student and parents early in the school year to discuss how the school can support this student’s needs related to ODD. This could include finding out about:
- the student’s strengths, interests and areas of need
- the student’s specific symptoms
- if the student has any other associated disorders that need to be considered at school
- successful strategies used at home or in the community that also could be used at school.
Your awareness needs to begin with conversations with the students parents.
Dealing With Oppositional Defiant Disorder At Home: 9 Tips For Parents
Make sure other conditions and challenges are under control. As previously mentioned, certain conditions like ADHD, mood disorders, and anxiety can cause or worsen the symptoms of ODD, which makes it more important than ever to get these challenges under control first. Consult with a trained mental health professional to confirm the reasons behind your childs behavior so you can better understand how you can support her and which treatment options you should prioritize.
Develop a clear set of house rules. When it comes to dealing with oppositional defiant disorder at home, developing a set of House Rules in which you clearly define what is expected of your child is another great first step. Make sure to keep the list relatively short , focus on behaviors your child struggles with but include a few behaviors you know your child can easily achieve to ensure greater success, use basic language, and make sure the rules youre trying to enforce are realistic. Examples might include:
- I use a quiet voice
- I keep my hands and feet to myself
- I say please and thank you
- I clean up after myself
- I do not interrupt when someone is speaking
Keep the list in a place your child frequents throughout the day so you can review it together often, and if you find your child struggling to follow the house rules youve set forth, consider turning it into a reward chart whereby your child earns a small reward for successfully following a certain number of rules each day .
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Use Empathetic Statements To Show Your Child You Understand How They Feel
Imagine how you would feel if someone came into your room and said get off the computer and go to bed. Although they are kids and are expected to follow adults rules, they still have the same feelings you would have in that type of situation.
You can show them you understand how they feel with a statement such as I know you are really enjoying your computer time and you dont want to turn it off, but you need to get rest for school tomorrow. You can have some time on the computer again tomorrow.
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