ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
ODD is one of two potentially serious psychiatric disorders that may be seen in up to 30 to 50 per cent of children with ADHD / ADD although both are separate problems – they aren’t caused by ADHD / ADD. The other condition that can commonly be associated with ODD and ADHD is conduct disorder (CD).
Both occur mostly in boys, but ODD is more common than CD, appears at an earlier age and is generally less severe. The first signs usually become apparent at about the age of about four or five years old but has been recorded to have been identified before this age.
In the early stages it can be difficult to diagnose many children of this age have periods when they’re negative about themselves or activities they are engaged in, and demonstrate hostile or defiant behaviour. However, when this behaviour persists while children their age have grown out of this type of behaviour, the problem may become clearer.
Symptoms
In a Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the criteria for diagnosing ODD are:
- A pattern of negative, hostile and defiant behaviour lasting at least six months during which four or more of the following are present: often loses temper, argues with adults, actively defies adults’ requests, deliberately annoys people, blames others, touchy or easily annoyed, angry or resentful or spiteful or vindictive.
- This behaviour causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning.
- Lack of attention and focus whilst engaged in activities considered not of interest to the child.
- The behaviour doesn’t exclusively occur during a psychotic or mood disorder.
- The behaviour doesn’t meet the criteria for CD or antisocial personality disorder.
Treatment and recovery
An accurate diagnosis must be made by an expert in child psychiatry. If your child does have ODD, they’ll need specialist psychiatric help and advice with regard to schooling. Treatment may include powerful psycho-stimulant medication that contains methylphenidate such as Ritalin but there are other non-medication alternatives such as Neurofeedback which we at Games for Life provide. This will depend on several factors such as the specific nature of the problem, the treatment approach taken by the specialists, and whether there’s an element of ADHD / ADD (ADD and ODD often coexist, and it’s usually the ADD element of the problem that responds to stimulants).
CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) – Cognitive-behavioural therapy encourages you to identify and change the negative beliefs and behaviours that are causing problems in your child’s life. Since many individuals with ODD often have ADHD one of the main goals of cognitive-behavioural therapy is to transform this negative outlook into a more positive, realistic view. Cognitive-behavioural therapy also focuses on the practical issues that often come with ODD and ADD/ADHD, such as disorganization, work performance problems, and poor time management.
Neurofeedback training – Neurofeedback training is a type of biofeedback that uses electroencephalography (EEG) to provide a brain wave signal that can be used by a person to receive feedback about brain activity. In the case of someone with ODD and ADHD’s brainwaves indicative of focus and attention can be filtered and used in a real time graph or at Games for Life we use this particular brain wave to move around and control animated characters in a computer game. Kind of like taking your brain to the gym you are exercising your attention by being made aware of it and how to control it
Specialist Coaching – Coaches work with clients to help them better manage time, organize, set goals and complete projects. In addition to helping parents understand the impact FAS has had on their and their child’s life. Coaches can help clients develop “work-round’s” strategies to deal with specific challenges, and determine and use individual strengths. Coaches also help clients get a better grasp of what reasonable expectations are for them as individuals, since people with ODD ”brain wiring” often seem to need external mirrors for accurate self-awareness about their potential despite their impairment.
