Treatment Strategies To Help Child with ODD

ODD is a complicated behavioural condition that can be difficult to manage. Here are several options that you can explore to help your child manage their diagnosis and improve their behaviour:

1. Consider comorbidity:

Does your child with ODD also have another condition such as ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia or Dyscalculia? If your child displays many of the signs and symptoms of any of these disorders, then this needs to be investigated before any behaviour or treatment plan can be created to combat ODD.

2. Defuse, Distract and De-escalate:

A child with ODD will have moments of tantrum, rage, or physical aggression. First defuse the situation by removing the trigger for the behaviour, and then attempt to distract the child by helping them leave the area and engage in a more enjoyable activity away from the conflict. Finally, de-escalation through physical activities such as running, walking or playing a game can work for kids with ODD.

3. Acting VS Reacting:

A child with ODD will do things that will frustrate parents, teachers, and other adults. If the adult can put in place plans to deal with possible negative behaviours ahead of time they are not reacting to the child’s behaviour, but rather they are pre-empting it and following through on a plan which they believe will be most beneficial for everyone involved. For example, if a teacher knows that their student with ODD will often run around the school, it is best that they inform security and other school workers who can devise a safety plan for when this occurs. Without this plan, a teacher or student aide may end up chasing the child around the school which is not productive for anyone.

4. Parent-Management Training Programs:

There are many fantastic parent-management training programs which teach parents how to manage difficult behaviours – such as the key symptoms of ODD. Click here to read more about this.

5. Family Therapy/Counselling:

Family counselling can teach other family members, such as parents and siblings, how to better manage the child’s behaviour, whilst also helping ease potential tensions between family members which have occurred due to the behaviour of the child with ODD.

6. Individual Therapy/Counselling:

Individual counselling can help a child with ODD process their feelings, and learn how to manage negative behaviours. A skilled counsellor will help the individual address the reason or multiple reasons behind the behaviour and put in a step by step plan to improve the behaviour.

7. Breaks and Providing Personal Space:

At school or at home a child with ODD needs to be provided with choices (where practical), and the opportunity to have personal space – particularly in moments of stress or anger. If the child feels that their needs are being met, they are more likely to make an effort to regulate their behaviour.¹

8. Visual Schedule:

At home and at school an easily understood visual schedule which clearly explains breaks, chore times, meal times etc. will lead to less confusion, arguments, and opposition.

9. Microlearning:

Condensing the most important learning information into short, small blocks such as quick video or audio lessons – works well with ODD students, as it’s a way of keeping them engaged by not talking for too long, and just focusing on the most important points. A similar approach can be utilised at home by a parent with a child with ODD who has homework to complete, aiming to motivate the child to complete small amounts of the work at a time before having a break and then trying again. This approach can work well with an oppositional child who only wants to complete activities which they enjoy.

10. Remember the positive qualities of the child!

Even when your child feels like nothing but hard work, try to remember the good inside of them. Are there any negative traits which they show at school or at home which could easily be positives in other settings? Perhaps their determination, persistence or reasoning can be utilised in sport, theatre, or business? Remembering the positives in every child will remind you that everyone is capable of achieving great things, and that we cannot give up on any child.

References:

Bowler, A. (2022). The teacher’s guide to oppositional defiant disorder : supporting and engaging pupils with challenging or disruptive behaviour in the classroom. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.‌
Walls, S. (2016). Oppositional defiant & disruptive children and adolescents : non-medication approaches for the most challenges Odd behaviors. Pesi Publishing & Media.
Kazdin, A. E. (2009). Parent management training: treatment for oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. Oxford University Press.