Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Children with ODD can lead us in a fast moving train from frontal cortex;
where we are thinking, to brain stem where we are reacting. As educators
and parents working with children with ODD or oppositional behaviors
for that matter, we need to develop ways to keep ourselves in frontal
cortex. Plan for how you are going to react when the child tells
you things like:
"You are stupid."
"I hate this class."
"I hate this family."
"You can take this ^&*&^% ing $%^%$ class and shove it...."
These are all buttons on our vending machine and if we aren't careful,
we will deliver the wrong goods when those buttons get pushed.
Ideas for You:
Practice Yoga breathing- you can find videos on the Internet
Learn to Count in your head before you react
Learn to smile even though you want to do something else
Ideas for Talking to ODD students:
Whisper from the back of the head into the right ear. Research in three
countries shows that the right ear is connected to the side of the
brain that is more conducive to compliance. Use statements like:
"I need you to...." Refrain from saying things like, "Cut that out
right now."
PowerPoint on Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Use the workbook to plan your own responses to the student
Workbook on Positive Interventions and Effective Strategies
Also, many students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder have low self-esteem. Be sure to look up my research on raising self-esteem with the Four P's for Raising Self-Esteem in the Presentation Section.
