ODD or Oppositional defiant disorder is a behavior disorder which one in ten children suffer. ODD is more common in boys than it is in girls. This disorder is characterized by defiant, irritable, negative, annoying and uncooperative behavior toward authority figures and in particular parents and teachers. Children with oppositional defiant disorder can be very difficult to live with and can cause a lot of distress within the family.

All children are defiant and naughty at times but a child with ODD seems to be defiant all the time and a parent of an ODD child will very rarely get a break from this uncooperative and defiant behavior. A parent will usually know deep down inside that there is more to their child than just ‘normal naughtiness’.

What causes oppositional defiant disorder?

The cause of ODD is not known but there are two theories that could explain the cause. One theory suggest that the defiant behaviors begin when a child is just a toddler. It is thought that if a toddler has some difficulties with some developmental issues that are not resolved then the issues may continue into their childhood. So it is thought that children with ODD have probably had a difficult time learning skills and also may have found it difficult as a younger child to separate from their parent.

The other theory suggest that the defiant behaviors are learned from the way in which they were disciplined by their parents. The behavior is a reflection on the effects of negative reinforcement techniques which has taught the child how to achieve the desired attention by their defiant actions. Even though it may be negative attention a child will view that as better than no attention at all.

These are just theories and no cause has officially been given. It is possible that a child may have experienced either of these suggested theories or even a bit of both.

Symptoms of ODD
Treatment for ODD