ODD..anyone familiar with this?

MommyWithDreams

<font color=deeppink>What has the Dis done to me?
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Messages
2,280
Anyone have a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)...or know anyone that has a child with it? Can you share your stories if you do?
Thank you.
 
Hi,

I have a son with ODD, he's 10. For 5 years I knew something was 'off' with him and realized it's beyond anyone's control. We are in the very early stages of having him evaluated for this and ADD, since they say ODD is never a single diagnosis, it usually involves another disorder as well with symptoms of another, comorbidity is the term they use.

I can only tell you and you probably know and have experienced first hand how difficult these kids can be with the defiance, oppositionality and anger, they're always blameless, never their fault, they don't fear authority of any kind, they are disruptive, intentionally annoy other people, don't care about consequences, etc...

Our neurologist finds that individual counseling does not usually help a child with this (I tend to agree) but plenty can help the parents learn to deal with the kids.

I can't give you any advice, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. It's never easy and I know my son is predictable at times and unpredictable at other times, you never know how your day will go visiting someone or the issues that will arise with them.

Are you having him eval'd by a professional?
 
Hi,

I have a son with ODD, he's 10. For 5 years I knew something was 'off' with him and realized it's beyond anyone's control. We are in the very early stages of having him evaluated for this and ADD, since they say ODD is never a single diagnosis, it usually involves another disorder as well with symptoms of another, comorbidity is the term they use.

I can only tell you and you probably know and have experienced first hand how difficult these kids can be with the defiance, oppositionality and anger, they're always blameless, never their fault, they don't fear authority of any kind, they are disruptive, intentionally annoy other people, don't care about consequences, etc...

Our neurologist finds that individual counseling does not usually help a child with this (I tend to agree) but plenty can help the parents learn to deal with the kids.

I can't give you any advice, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. It's never easy and I know my son is predictable at times and unpredictable at other times, you never know how your day will go visiting someone or the issues that will arise with them.

Are you having him eval'd by a professional?

Thank you so much for responding. We've been having serious issues for about a year now. We've had appointments with a pediatric psychologist who chalks it up to "this is normal and kids can be defiant". That I understand......I was a preschool teacher and feel like I have seen it all........but not this. It's hard for me to talk about because, well it just hurts. I find us not going out to restaurants anymore, out shopping and I avoid playdates at all cost simply because of the behavior. His preschool has been WONDERFUL with trying to help us find a solution to the behavior. It wasn't until yesterday when I picked him up that his teacher had asked me if I had heard of ODD. I had never heard of it........I looked it up and it is SO my son. Every single symptom. I'm going to call his pediatrician and hopefully FINALLY after a year of no progress go down another route. I am so sad and just don't know what to do.
We just got back last week from Disneyland and it was a rough trip. Not the trip I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong..there were great moments. But also I was in silent tears for a lot of it. I almost postponed it because I was afraid this would happen.
 

Wow, I hadn't heard of this before, but I am going to research it. This sounds so much like my 3 (4 in a couple weeks) year old. I haven't mentioned any issues to his doctor because I figured they would tell me he was too young to diagnose, but it wouldn't hurt to read up on it. Maybe I can find some better ways to care for and discipline him.
 
I had a student in my class a few years ago with ODD. He was a challenge behavior wise but he was one of the brightest kids I have ever had.
 
I am familiar and my heart goes out to anyone dealing with this in their family. A huge percentage of kids with ODD also have adhd (over 60% I think) I am part of an ADHD support group (I have ADHD and so do my kids) and many of the people I know from the group are dealing with ODD as well as ADHD. I agree- the DISabilities board would be a good place to post this. I would look for a local support group- people can empathize- but only like parents can really understand. Also (if the child hasn't already) I would try to see a good bio-psychologist or neuro-psychologist. My youngest has quite a few co-morbidly existing disorders and I think this is a good kind of doctor to see. They look at the physical/chemical as well as psychological/emotional when evaluating their patients.

I think it is great that you are going after this issue now, while he is in preschool. Two of the moms I know have the kids (both boys) in behavior therapy or behavior modification and both have found it helpful. These kids are older (one in 3rd grade, one in 6th). So I can only beleive that if your son does have this condition and you begin getting him some help now, at his young age, it can only be better starting early, than waiting and seeing.
Chin up- wishing you the best, truly.
Edited: I just looked at your trippie- your son is super cute!
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top