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Tantrums, Tempers and Tears
Could Your Child Have ODD?
By Tamar Weiss
Dr. Sue Antell, a developmental neuropsychologist who specializes in the diagnosis of behavioral and developmental disorders of young children, points out that kids with ODD know what is expected of them, are capable of appropriately responding, and yet choose not to. A child with ODD is most likely to display such behavior at home, around the people that he or she is most comfortable with, but not necessarily at school or with other adults and acquaintances. Although it may seem difficult to imagine a child as young as preschool age exhibiting behavior to this degree, sadly ODD does indeed affect such young children. Dr. Antell has seen patients this young who have even posed a "risk of physical harm to others in their families."
Children with ODD often find themselves being disliked by those who associate closely with them, including teachers and peers. These children are also at a higher risk than others of becoming victims of child abuse. "Simply because their behavior can be so incredibly taxing for a parent to manage," says Atwell. It can be a frightening ordeal for family members and loved ones close to a child with ODD. It is essential that children with symptoms suggesting ODD be seen by a mental health care professional.
Some additional warning signs are children who are, for no apparent reason, angry at everyone and everything; children who use whining and demanding behavior as their foremost method of interaction; those who are aggressive toward adults; and those who attack others with weapons such as sharp objects. Dr. Antell suggests that aside from these indications, if a parent feels that their child's behavior is consistently out of line and not well controlled, whether the child has ODD or not, it may benefit both child and parent to seek professional assistance. Often there are other disorders present upon close examination of a child's behavior, and a qualified professional will be looking to see if this is the case. "It may be difficult to improve the symptoms of ODD without treating the coexisting disorder," according to the AACAP.