ADHD And Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Boy, does that sound familiar. My nephew has ODD and he can be so hard to handle. The key is to let them know what's going to happen 20 minutes or so before it does. Just remind him from the time he gets up that today is a school day and that he has to be dressed and ready to go. Consistancy is a big factor, too. Having a set pattern that never changes can make things easier too. Is there something going on at school that makes him not want to go? Are his meds at the right dose? Maybe, if he lays out his clothes the night before, by himself, he'll be more willing to dress himself that day. Give him two choices abuot things- anything from what he eats for breakfast to what clothes he wants to wear- that can make things more in his control. I found that argueing with the child does no good at all except cause hard feelings. My youngest son is very demanding. I don't think he had ODD but he can be very obstinite. It's frustrating, I know. Good luck!!!!!

One great site for sources and possible forum sites like this but only for what your child has is WEBMD.com. Good Luck!

ODD is a hard one. Most children out grow it according to my little sister's Dr. but sometimes they just don't. It is looking to be her issue. She is almost 18 (June 7) and she is still having so many issues with it. Now I am in a similur boat as my mother was years ago. I just posted cuz my son is having issues and the school is pushing to have him tested for ADHD and our family Dr. is sending us to a specialist buts doubts ADHD but susspects ODD but said it is not her place to diagnose it.
I just wanted to wish you all the best.

A.,
I am a mother of a 5 year old that is bipolar, adhd, and odd. I also have a 7 year old that is adhd and suffers from depression. And by no means can I tell you what works for me cause I am also in the same boat as you. My 5 year old is on 3 different meds and they don't seem to phase him. We have switched meds many times. Dr's are always welling to let you know what is wrong with your child, but know to this day other then (your and bad mom and he needs disaplened) has anyone told me how to deal with it. And their Constantce thing yeah right! What worked with my son today make not work tomorrow. I just wanted you to know your not alone with this fight.And you are in my prayers. And God Bless you I know how hard it is!

I have a child that has ODD and OCD and one that has Generalize Anxiety Disorder. One of the most important things for all children but especially ones with disorders is consistancy and routine. What I mean by consistancy is to try to do the major things in your life all the time at about the same time. This would include meal times, bed times, and your work times. Also, if you say no to something one day it has to be no all the time. Children have a way of reading you and they know when you are weak, tiered, and not in the mood for an arguement. This is when mine double team me. I find that if I make the rules when I am refreshed and alert it helps set the ground rules for when I'm exhausted or sick. Don't make drastice changes in your life unless abosolutely neccessary. My child lost it every time we moved. Which was quite often when they were young and I was a single mom.
The consistanceies were much easier when I got married because my husband is the type that likes things the same all the time. My son is now sixteen and we made a move last year, which was tramatic for him and my four year old.
We still try to keep a consistant routine to some degree. This is very hard with all the diffrent things going on in teens lives and four year olds lives. We just try to keep some things the same all the time. For instance we go to my mom's house to visit every Friday, rain or shine. There has been very few weeks we have missed.
I have never been a plan it all out, do it all the same type person, but this was forced on me by the wellfare of my children. There is always some unexpected things that comes up and changes our plans but we find that if we talk this changes over with the kids they deal with them better.
Parenting is very difficult and with disorders and disabilities it makes it even hard. It is very impportant to find a support of some sort to keep you up when it gets tuff. I have often had great neighbors, family and church members threw the years that have saved me often in times when I could have never made it alone. Seek someone that is close enough to you that can be there in a matter of minutes. Some times I have had to call in a "911" to my neighbor. See was right over and gave me the hugs and support I needed. This neighbor was also allow to scold my children if she saw them doing something that We did not allow, as I watched out for her children. Great neighbor aren't always easy to find but generally if you find a church home you can find someone that has been through it and will graceously help you.
God bless you and I hope the best for your family.

Our school thought our six year old had ODD, but it turned out he had Sensory Processing Disorder. This is when all of the senses are taking in messages but the brain is unable to sort them out into what a kid is supposed to do. It can manifest itself into some very negative behaviors because the child is so frustrated.

Check out spdnetwork.org to find out more.

I wish you every good wish possible--we only want what is best for our kids but sometimes the getting there is rough. Hang in there!

C.

Hi my name is J. and I have a child that is 14 now who was first diagnosed with adhd at the age of 6 but the meds didnt work. Finally after a continual struggle with the doctors and also with him, I found a child psychologist that diagnosed him with aspergers syndrome. That alone helped me to find other ways to help him get along better. First I had to keep him on a regular schedule and routine. For him routine changes were very difficult. And also I had to keep it simple in the morning and only tackle one task at a time. Too many things going on at one time would always set him off and then it was a no win situation. I just had to learn more patience and to take it slow and keep a routine. He is a lot better now that he is older and understands his emotions and how to control them. I dont know if that is what your child has but if medicine does not work and things are getting worse try my suggestions and also suggest it to your doctor. Finding the right diagnosis helps alot to know what steps to take to help him. Good luck.

A.,
My name is E. and I also have 3 boys, 7, 4 1/2 and 10 1/2 months. My oldest was diagnosed as having ADHD and ODD, but in the last 2 yrs, with the help of meds and recently a hospital stay and a new school, has gotten better. However my 4 1/2 yr old is now starting where his brother left off, but 10 times worse. My husband works evenings so i deal with him while he works. I know most of it is learned behavior, but this is bad. I dont think i can take another 2 yrs of hell. Its real hard to take care of a baby while hes throwing his "fits", as I call them. I feel like nobody knows what im going through. My mom thinks hes not that bad and makes me feel like i cant take care of my kids. My older kids have been through alot and i know that has alot to do with it, and i blame myself for that.
I had one dr tell me that the ODD is geared towards the mother. Im not sure why, but it is.
Im glad to know that there is someone else out there whos going through simulair things as I am.