Hi am writing this hub as an answer to the question "How to deal with Children with ODD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.."..I got the Information from websites and books...!!! and thought of publishing it as it might be useful for you...

ODD is defined as an ongoin pattern of disobedient,hostile & defiant behavior towards authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior, as defined by Psychatric division shown in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ...Children and adolescents with ODD are more distressing or troubling to others than they are distressed or troubled themselves.

Many children, especially when they are tired, hungry, or upset, tend to disobey, argue with parents, or defy authority. Most symptoms seen in children & adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder also occur at times in children without this disorder, especially around the ages or 2 or 3, or during the teenage years. However, in children & adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder, these symptoms occur more frequently and interfere with learning, school adjustment and often with the child's relationships with others.. lack of Friendship etc... which may result in more psychatric problems...!!!.

Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder may include:

1. Frequent temper tantrums
2. Excessive arguments with adults
3. Refusal to comply with adult requests
4. Always questioning rules; refusal to follow rules
5. Behavior intended to annoy or upset others, including adults
6. Blaming others for his/her misbehaviors or mistakes
7. Easily annoyed by others
8. Frequently has an angry attitude
9. Speaking harshly, or unkind
10. Deliberately behaving in ways that seek revenge

The symptoms of ODD may resemble other medical conditions or behavior problems. Always consult your child's (adolescent's) physician for a diagnosis.

Specific treatment for children with oppositional defiant disorder will be determined by your child's (adolescent's) physician based on:

• your child's (adolescent's) age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of your child's (adolescent's) symptoms
• your child's (adolescent's) tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the condition
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• individual psychotherapy
  Individual psychotherapy for ODD often uses cognitive-behavioral approaches to improve problem solving skills, communication skills, impulse control, and anger management skills.
• family therapy
  Family therapy is often focused on making changes within the family system, such as improving communication skills and family interactions. Parenting children with ODD can be very difficult and trying for parents. Parents need support and understanding as well as developing more effective parenting approaches.
• peer group therapy
  Peer group therapy is often focused on developing social skills and interpersonal skills.
• medication
  While not considered effective in treating ODD, medication may be used if other symptoms or disorders are present and responsive to medication.

Some experts believe that a developmental sequence of experiences occurs in the development of oppositional defiant disorder. This sequence may start with ineffective parenting practices, followed by difficulty with other authority figures and poor peer interactions. As these experiences compound and continue, oppositional and defiant behaviors develop into a pattern of behavior. Early detection and intervention into negative family and social experiences may be helpful in disrupting the sequence of experiences leading to more oppositional and defiant behaviors. Early detection and intervention with more effective communication skills, parenting skills, conflict resolution skills, and anger management skills can disrupt the pattern of negative behaviors and decrease the interference of oppositional and defiant behaviors in interpersonal relationships with adults and peers, and school and social adjustment. The goal of early intervention is to enhance the child's normal growth and developmental process, and improve the quality of life experienced by children or adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder.