1. Analysis of Oppositional Defiant
Disorder
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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and its treatments
Christina Brooks
Bryant & Stratton College
English 305
Nicole Michael-Adams
July 31, 2014

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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Introduction
I chose the topic of Oppositional Defiant Disorder to learn what it was as I have a 5 year old
Grandson that was diagnosed with ODD about a year ago, he lives with us so I wanted to
research the disorder so I would be able to help my daughter deal with taking care of him on a
daily basis.
Many parents today face the reality of dealing with a child that has oppositional defiant
disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder is relatively common among 3-8 year old children and
its presence puts children at risk for more serious and stable behavior problems such as ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Most children with ODD are also diagnosed with
ADHD. Children with ODD are very hard to control, as ODD is characterized by a pattern of
noncompliant, argumentative, angry, hostile and defiant behavior that has persisted for at least 6
months. These difficulties cause impairments in social relationships in both adults and peers and
are worsened by the signs and symptoms of ADHD.
(D. Breuer 2011). Some experts say that ODD may be related to ADHD-impulsivity. Many
ADHD kids who are diagnosed with ODD are showing oppositional characteristics by default.
They misbehave not because they are intentionally oppositional, but because they can’t control
their impulses.
The goal of this paper is to provide information to parents and family members of children with
ODD. This report will give them the definition of ODD, Its signs and symptoms, how parents
can adjust to having a child with ODD, and possible treatment options that will benefit both the
parent and the child. I will show this by writing about the research I have looked up, the
interview I had with Psychologist Franklin Torigoe, and the personal experiences I had helping
my daughter take care of my grandson
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: An Overview
Definition
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is defined as a recurring pattern of negative, hostile, disobedient,
and defiant behavior in a child or adolescent, lasting at least 6 months without serious violation
of the basic rights of others. (Mayo Clinic 2011).
Signs of Oppositional Defiant disorder
(Mayo Clinic 2012). Signs of ODD general begin before a child is 8 years old. Sometimes
ODD may develop later, but almost always before the early teen years. When ODD behavior
develops, the signs tend to begin gradually then worsen over months or years. These signs are
persistent, last at least 6 months, and are clearly disruptive to the family and home or school
environment. The following behaviors are associated with ODD.

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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
retrieved from Google images
 Negativity
 Defiance
 Disobedience
 Hostility towards authority figures
These behaviors could cause the child too consistently,
 Have temper tantrums
 Be argumentative with adults
 Refuse to comply with adult requests or rules
 Annoy other people deliberately
 Blames others for mistakes or misbehavior
 Acts touchy and is easily annoyed
 Feel anger and resentment
 Be spiteful or vindictive
 Act aggressively toward peers
 Have difficulty maintaining friendships
 Have academic problems
 Feel a lack of self esteem
Who is affected?
ODD affects children and adolescents, more young children than adolescents. The young
children that are affected have often experienced harsh, inconsistent or neglectful parenting and
some consider these practices to have a casual role in the disorder. In order for children to be
diagnosed with ODD, one of the things the therapist looks at is how the child treats animals. In
adolescents they look for legal problems, and if they are recurring or a onetime event.

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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
I found information on the percentage of children in particular age groups that are affected by
ODD Retrieved from Google images
As you can see in 2010 the older the children were the more susceptible they were. Children are
now being diagnosed at a young age, they become susceptible earlier now. Along with finding
this information I also found information on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in
preschoolers.
Retrieved from journal of child psychology and psychiatry 2012.
When symptom onset and duration criteria, but not impairment were applied a larger portion of
children received a diagnosis of ODD at 2.9%.
The earlier the child is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can start. The early start of treatment
could eliminate the child continuing to have these symptoms when they get older.
There are several kinds of treatment for ODD that include parent management training programs
to help parents and others manage the child’s behavior. Individual psychotherapy to develop
more effective anger management. Family psychotherapy to improve communication and
mutual understanding, parent-child interaction therapy. Medication may be helpful in

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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
controlling some of the more distressful symptoms of ODD as well as the symptoms related to
coexistent conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders.
Below is a breakdown of the different treatments along with their pros and cons.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Individual counseling for the child may help him or her learn to manage anger and express his or
her feelings more healthfully. A con to this is that the child may not open up to a stranger.
FAMILY THERAPY
Family counseling may help improve communication and relationships, and help members of the
family work together. A con to this is that in a group setting the family could be selective in
what they want to discuss.
PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY
Therapists coach parents while they interact with their children. In one approach the therapist
sits behind a one way mirror, and using an audio device guides parents through strategies that
reinforce their children’s positive behavior. A con to this is that even though the parent is
reinforcing positive behavior, the child could still be defiant.
PARENT TRAINING
A mental health provider with experience treating ODD may help develop skills that will allow
parenting in a way that’s more positive and less frustrating for parent and child. In some cases
the child may participate in this type of training with the parent, so that everyone in the family
develops shared goals on how to handle problems. A con to this is that the parent may not heed
the advice given to them.
MEDICATIONS
Medications that treat ADHD also help with the symptoms of ODD. They help calm the child
and help them concentrate better. There are different types of med such as Adderall, Ritalin,
and vyvanse just to name a few. There are cons to medication, they are listed below
 They only work if the child has been diagnosed with both ODD and ADHD
 There are side effects that go along with taking medication, such as decreased appetite,
weight loss, headaches, jitteriness, and sleep problems.
 Cardiovascular problems, which is the most serious of side effects.
If it is left untreated ODD can progress into a more serious condition known as Conductive
Disorder (CD).
Personal interviews and Observation
Along with looking up information on ODD, I interviewed psychologist Franklin Torigoe, below
is the question answer session we had which took place in an empty classroom to ensure quiet
and concentration. This session was very informative.
1. Are there physical reasons for ODD?

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(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct. 23, 2013). There are some beliefs of a
genetic connection, others believe there is a brain abnormality.
2. Why is ODD accompanied by ADHD?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23,2013). The diagnostic system is not
perfect it is open to misinterpretation.
3. What is the youngest age recorded with a DX of ODD
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). There is no definitive answer to
this question.
4. Will a child with ODD become an adult with ODD?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). A lot of times it does go away,
there are a few cases of Adult ODD. They can still live a normal life.
5. Do ADHD meds really help control ODD?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal Communication, Oct 23, 2013). From a psychologist’s view no
they do not help, there are long term affects. Most psychologists try to stay away from
meds, but the parent should trust what the neurologist does.
6. Should a child with ODD still be corrected for doing something wrong?
(A) F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). Yes, there is still learning
involved for children with ODD, it depends on the psychologist’s personal theory.
7. If there is more than 1 Child in the family, why would only 1 child have ODD?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). There are two reasons
1. Genetic reasons, but there is a very little chance of that.
2. Brain related causes that only that child would have.
8. Would ODD make a child restless and unable to sleep?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). It could no dx is clean.
9. When was ODD first discovered?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal Communication, Oct 23, 2013). He was unable to answer this
question and suggested I research the answer, which I did. Per ask.com I found that
ODD was first discovered in 1987.
10. Does counseling actually help a child with ODD?
(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). Yes, counseling does help,
they are well educated on ODD, and it also helps to have someone outside to be
objective and neutral.

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Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
I also interviewed the parent of a child diagnosed with ODD then made a comparison of
both interviews to determine a recommendation on treatment of ODD. Below is that
question and answer session which took place in a quiet room of the home behind a
closed door to ensure privacy for quiet and concentration.
1. How hard is it to raise a child with ODD?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It is the most time
consuming and draining experience that I have ever encountered in my life.
2. Does raising a child with ODD put any physical limits on the parent?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes- besides my own
physical ailments getting worse I tend to cut out where I go and how long I am at
places. I also allow it to restrict places that I go.
3. Does raising a child with ODD drain a parent emotionally as well as physically?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes- I am on
antidepressants and my stress level gets worse when Avery gets hard to handle.
4. What are the characteristics of a child with ODD?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Loving, demanding,
violent, and hard to handle.
5. To what extent can the behavior of the ODD child get?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It can be very
overwhelming, he gets very verbal as well as physical at times.
6. If there is more than one child in the home does that help as far as calming or dealing
with the ODD child?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). No they fight all the time.
7. Do you feel a child with ODD should still be corrected?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes and No. It doesn’t
help and a lot of times if you try to correct him it only makes the situation and his
behavior worse.
8. What do you feel is the best way to correct the ODD child?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Talking to him, if anything
at all works or helps it is talking calmly to him.
9. Are there any guilty feelings when you have to correct a child with ODD?
(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes but not just with him,
with her as well. I have guilty feelings anytime I correct either child. That did
not start till after Avery was born though.
10. Is it harder when other people interfere with correcting the ODD child?

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(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It is almost impossible he only
tends to even barely behave when being corrected by those closest to him let alone
others getting involved.
After comparing the two interviews I noticed that there aer a lot of similarities as far as correction.
I feel this is important in treatment as consistency should help stabilize the child.
I also observed my 5 year old grandson who was diagnosed with ODD a couple of months ago.
When he was first diagnosed, my daughter tried just counseling with him, because she did not
want to jump and put him on meds right away.
Finally after watching his behavior get worse, he was finally taken to a neurologist and placed on
medication. The medication seems to help, but I don’t think it helps enough maybe once she finds
him a new counselor that will help. I think if he had a combination of the medication and
counseling he would improve even more.
Before the medication, he would hit my daughter, tell her he hates her, he even through kittens off
a porch. Now that he is on the medication, he is not as violent, but he seems to still have a lot of
pent up energy. I think this energy is his way of trying to get his anger out because he has no one
to talk to at the moment.
I have also noticed a change in my daughter, there are times she still gets extremely frazzled, but
nowhere near as much as she did before he started his medication. I feel that the parent training
classes would be a benefit to her, because it would teach her how to deal with him and make for a
more relaxed environment. She wouldn’t get as frazzled as she does at times. That would help
her tremendously as she also has a 9 year old daughter she also has to tend to, and if he is calm she
will be calm and be able to take care of both of them, and provide a quieter environment for them
like she constantly tries to do.
RECOMMENDATION
My recommendation is that a family that is dealing with a child with ODD should take advantage
of all the services that are out there to help them. A combination of all of these services will make
for a suitable environment for everyone involved.

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References
1. Greenspan, s. & Weider,S. (1998). The child with special needs. Reading, Mass.
Addison-Wesley
Greenspan Is an M.D. who wrote this very informative book that helps us understand
children with special needs. He does this by using case studies. He breaks the studies
down step by step, and then tells what the outcome of the study was. He also writes in
a way that his reader will understand everything he is trying to say.
2. Mackenzie, E. P. (2007). Improving treatment Outcome for Oppositional Defiant
Disorder in Young Children. Journal of early intensive behavior intervention, 4(2).500-
510. Retrieved from Database Education research Complete.
This article on oppositional defiant disorder is written to explain what the disorder is
and how it is treated. MacKenzie gives an excellent definition of oppositional defiant
Disorder, and she explains it in layman’s terms so that even a parent could read this
Article and know what she was talking about. She talks about BPT ( Behavioral Parent
Training). Which is designed to help parents of odd children cope with that child on a
Daily basis. She also talks about the treatment outcomes for these children.
3. Ravenel, D. (2008). Common Behavioral and Learning Problems in Children an
Alternative Nonmedical Approach: A Pediatrician’s Perspective. Ethical Human
Psychology and Psychiatry, 10(2). 71-79. Doi: 10.1891/1559.4343.10.2.71
This article is written from a pediatrician’s perspective. He talks about thin increasing
number of children who are being evaluated and treated for ADD and ODD. He talks
about how psychologists are now becoming involved in the care of these children.
These children are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages.
4. Taffel, R. (2001). Getting through to difficult kids. The Guilford Press. New
York/London
This book is written to teach people who deal with troubled kids, how to deal with them
on a daily basis. Taffel breaks down different scenarios and gives a detailed
explanation of how to deal with each scenario.

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