Treatment for ODD - Oppositional Defiant Disorder

We've had a around 7 kids in our Foster Home that have used Play Therapy. Play Therapy does wonders for kids that have issues. I would highly suggest you find a great play therapist. We have a few play therapist that we have used and would be glad to give a referral. Just let us know if you would like their name and number.

Play Therapy is great, you can have them come to your home or you can go to them in their office setting. Kids work is their play. One thing you could also do at home is get down on the floor and play with your child. You can learn a lot that way.

Have you tried structuring your home and having a routine? That helps a lot. You might try charts and stickers and a reward system, that has helped us some with the kids. Every child is different and one thing doesn't work with all kids who have attention problems/issues.

We use Love and Logic and that helps some for some kids. You might find some of their techniques helpful. Their website is www.loveandlogic.com They have DVD's, tapes, books,etc.. to help parents. Our foster care agency also offers training in Love and Logic, if you are interested, I can give you information on that.

I would check out the library for books on Attention issues. I would also get a thorough check by your Pediatrician and see if anything else is going on. Have you had his eyes checked? Maybe he is having trouble seeing things in the classroom. The Child Study Center is great and you know can always refuse the medication. We've used medication and it does really help a lot and some kids really need it. I respect your decision not to medicate.

I'd research it in the library and on the internet also. The Play Therapist will be a huge help. Does he seem overwhelmed by lots of choices or more kids or people around? The Child Study center actually gave us questionnaires and also gave us ones to give to his teachers, which I thought was great.

Have you checked into the Parenting Center? They training classes that would be a huge help. Some of them are free, however some of them do cost some money- $20. I definitely check out them also.

I remember using a timer a lot with the foster kids that had ADD/ODD and ADHD. Use your time for 5 minutes and set limits on getting dressed, bedtime routine, playing-10-15 minutes-30 minutes, whatever your limit is. Have a timer that you can move from room to room and when the bell goes off, then he can hear it and he will need to stop what he is doing. This might help you.

Have you had any major change in your home in the past year? Sometimes that can stir things up too.

Maybe try giving him more one-on-one time with books that help with anger. I've used ones that are excellent at Mardels (the Christian bookstore/teacher supply store). Think of things he can do instead of hitting or throwing things. Have him count to 10 slowly or count backwards. Taking deep breaths help. Maybe he could go to the bathroom,when he is getting upset. Hope this helps.

I have worked with children with special needs and I have also had a child in my home with ODD. First before labeling your son, check out the classroom. Many times, when a child starts to act out in class, we as parents hear this long list of things our child is doing wrong. Have you considered internal/external situations in the classroom. What I mean is 1. Could your child be bored 2. Could where your child sit be a problem 3. Could there be another child in class bothering your child

Has there been a log of your childs outburst/tantrums? What is child doing before tantrum, what about after tantrum? How does teacher react to outburst? Is your child seeking attention?

Unless ODD runs in your family, please don't label child.

Feel free to contact me thru this site as I have helped other families drop labels and find solutions.

I would like to talk to you about sensitivity to cleaning products, and/or allergies to food dye and processed food.
Some children need environmental changes, not medication.
My daughter started tantrums at 18 mo. By the age of 3, I was locking myself in my room to get away from her aggression.
I started her on a rotation diet, changing bread, juice, and watching ingredients in food. We found she flew into rages after white bread, saltine crackers and yellow dye. Her behavior became normal and loving, although still with a temper when she felt wronged.
By the time she could read, she knew to read labels and she never touched the yellow dye or white breads and crackers.
She really missed Fruit Loops! But it was a good lesson in watching out for herself.
Hope this helps. And again, cleaning products can cause attention problems and learning disability in some children

There is a book called "Try and Make Me" wow!!! You might get some GREAT pearls from it, I did!

My son was diagnosed with ODD when he was 5 too.

Take charge and remember your mom! Medicate if you please, we tried just added more drama to the mix. ODD will present differently with different people, situations and sexes. Find his hot spots and work on behavior training, would be my suggestions. Then enjoy the cool spots and love on your kiddo as much as he can with positive attention for that emotional feeding he really needs.

According to the studies made by the experts there is no single way to treat cases of Oppositional defiant disorder. Medication might use to treat some of the symptoms. Psychiatrists sometime use family therapy and psycho therapy or else you can use behavior modification. Regular treatment if it there in practice, then there are huge chances of success.
http://www.disorderscentral.com/odd-in-children.html

My son was diagnosed as ADHD/ODD last year by Cooks. We were referred to the Sundance Center in Fort Worth and they were a great help. We were also connected with a great therapist and psychiatrist through Sundance.

I was very hesitant about medication in the beginning but his behavior was very "explosive" at times. We did try him on Concerta but after the summer it seemed not to work once school started. We then switched him to Vyvanse and it has made a tremendous difference.

Even with medication, we also help him to deal with his anger and talk about it instead of storming off and going into a deeper rage. We do different things based on the situation.

We know everyone in the school. The principal, vice principal, counselor, etc because of his behavior. I will say that once we all got on the same page and understood how to help him at home and at school, he has become a much better child.

Even though he is on medication, I have no intention of keeping him on it forever. I'm a believer and know that this too shall pass and feel that he will outgrow this and learn to deal with his behavior on his own.

There are certain foods you can try to avoid with certain dyes that could trigger some aggressive behavior. I think Red Dye 21 is a main one. It's found in Ketchup. You can substitute green ketchup. Also, I mostly give him lemonade or pink lemonade instead of drinks that are red.

There are also rights to protect your son while at school. ODD and/or ADD/ADHD are considered disabilities. This doesn't mean he's placed in a special class but he is protected under the Students with Disabilities Act. Ask for a copy and read it cover to cover to understand your child's rights.

I know it may not be easy right now but it does get better. Keep the faith.