Nancy Edwards

CLASSROOM CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT OF MANAGEMENT OF

OPPOSITIONAL OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DEFIANT

DISORDEREDDISORDERED(odd)(odd)

STUDENTSSTUDENTS

PART 1PART 1

What Is ODD?What Is ODD?A persistent pattern of

behavior different from other children of the same developmental level

Behaviors occur frequently enough to affect child’s social, family, and academic life

SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS1. Loses temper often

2. Frequent arguing with adults

3. Actively defies requests and refuses to follow rules

4. Deliberately annoys people

5. Blames others for own mistakes and misbehaviors

6. Touchy and easily annoyed

7. Often angry and resentful

8. Spiteful and vindictive

ODD CHILDREN OFTEN SEEM ODD CHILDREN OFTEN SEEM PROUD OF THEIR PROUD OF THEIR MISBEHAVIORSMISBEHAVIORS

CAUSESCAUSESGenetic

– Sometimes runs in familiesNature

– Inborn temperamentNurture

– Sometimes precipitated by mental or physical trauma

Brain Chemistry– May be related to serotonin,

cortisol, or other brain chemicals

DIAGNOSINGDIAGNOSING

Present in 5-15% of studentsUsually diagnosed by age 8

– Many boys diagnosed by preschool– Many girls diagnosed in middle

schoolOccasionally develops into…

– Conduct disorder– Passive Aggressive Personality

Disorder– Antisocial Personality Disorder

COMORBID CONDITIONSCOMORBID CONDITIONS

1. Depression

2. ADD/ADHD

3. Learning Disabilities

4. Bipolar Disorder

5. Anxiety Disorder

6. Giftedness

TREATMENTTREATMENT

Parent Training ProgramsIndividual PsychotherapyFamily CounselingCognitive-Behavioral TherapySocial Skills TrainingMedication used only for

comorbid disorders

PART 2PART 2

TWO KEYS TO EFFECTIVE TWO KEYS TO EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH ODD FOR STUDENTS WITH ODD

Escape for the child

Affecting attitudes

THE TEACHER SHOULD THE TEACHER SHOULD NOTNOT

Respond quicklyTry to “convince”ThreatenRaise the stakesCreate an audienceKeep it going Use sarcasm, anger, or bribes

THE TEACHER THE TEACHER SHOULDSHOULDGive simple, direct, real

choicesFollow pre-determined

behavior planListenGive brief, direct responsesMaintain privacyWalk away from confrontation

AFFECTING ATTITUDESAFFECTING ATTITUDESMost ODD students reject obvious positive

reinforcementsThe trick is to sneak it in

– Whisper it as you pass them– Leave a private note– Use emotion flash cards visible only to the

individual child

TWO RULES FOR SUCCESSTWO RULES FOR SUCCESS

1. When the ODD student is neutral or positive you should be positive and engaging, offering encouraging feedback and instruction

2. When the ODD student is negative you should be emotionless and business like and follow through on pre-determined plans and consequences

THINGS THINGS NOTNOT TO DO WITH TO DO WITH AN AN ANGRYANGRY ODD CHILD ODD CHILD

Don’t touch the studentDon’t raise your voiceDon’t threaten consequencesDon’t point your fingerDon’t crowd the studentDon’t feed the rage

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN HOW TO DEAL WITH AN ANGRYANGRY ODD CHILD ODD CHILD

Use the student’s nameRemove the audienceUse humor (but never sarcasm)Double your physical distanceAttempt to distractMinimize discussion

TIME OUTTIME OUT

In order to work, time out MUST be creative

Must involve being–Reasonable–Respectful–Fair

Use child’s strengths to find a way to let him/her cool off

RECOMMENDED BOOKSRECOMMENDED BOOKSThe Explosive Child

– Dr. Ross W. GreenThe Defiant Child: A Parent’s Guide to ODD

– Dr. Douglas RileyParenting With Love and Logic

– Jim Faye and Foster ClineThe Difficult Child

– Dr. Stanley Turecki

Nancy Edwards Thayer Central Schools Chester, NE 68327

RECOMMENDED LINKSRECOMMENDED LINKSConduct Disorders For Parents and

TeachersThe Chandler PapersExplosive KidsAmerican Academy of Child and Ad

olescent PsychiatryInternet Mental Health Site