ODD, or oppositional defiant disorder, is a persistent, long-term and disruptive behavior focused on authority figures. While every child has moody periods, and parents can expect toddlers to begin independence with a few well-thrown tantrums, ODD manifests significantly differently in those who struggle with it. In addition, ODD is often a companion to attention deficit disorder, known as ADD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, termed ADHD. A critical marker for this issue is the fact the behavior does not change. Instead, it becomes persistent and repeated. However, you can overcome many of these behaviors with appropriate counseling and, in some cases, carefully chosen medication.
Tantrums
Every parent is on the receiving end of a tantrum during a child's normal development. The difference with a child struggling with ODD is the level of tantrum behavior combined with repetition and persistence. If your child continues to have explosive, disruptive tantrums well beyond the window of normal behavior --- typically around the 2-year-old development age --- you may have cause for concern.
Hostility
Hostility toward any type of authority figure is also a hallmark of ODD, states the Mayo Clinic. The authority figure can be a teacher, parent, crossing guard or caretaker. All share the common characteristic of being the one who tells the child what to do. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advises this hostility may appear anywhere, but tends to be particularly acute at school and at home.
Non-compliance
Children with ODD are deliberately non-compliant. They pretend they don't hear directions, actively avoid following directions or simply ignore the directions provided. The adult giving the direction is the focus of this behavior, as the child perceives the adult as an authority figure to deny.
Deliberately Annoying
While anyone who has been in the back seat of a car for long car trip with siblings can remember times when they have been annoyed, ODD children are more acute. Their behavior is persistent and disruptive, focused on annoying the authority figure. This annoyance is deliberate, malicious and vindictive, states the Mayo Clinic.
Friendship Issues
Children with ODD often have difficulty maintaining friendships because of their behavior. These children may be isolated or the object of bullying as they often blame others for their behavior and typically display aggressive behavior toward their friends. If they are not the target of bullying, their peer group might perceive them as the bully.
Learning Issues
ODD children may also have trouble at school, states the Mayo Clinic. This may be the result of companion issues or learning disabilities.
