ODD in Children: Causes, Theories & Treatment - Essay Sample

Introduction

Children experiencing Opposite Defiant Disorder (ODD) are prone to angry, disobedience, argument, and defiance to the authorities and parents. Even though experts are yet to know the exact causes of the disorder, two theories try to explain the causes of ODD to children. According to Developmental Theory, the issue of ODD in a child start when they are toddlers (Wymbs, Wymbs & Dawson, 2015). The learning theory, on the other hand, suggests that negative symptoms of ODD include learned attitudes. According to the theory, negative reinforcement leads to increased ODD's behavior in children (Wymbs et al., 2015). John, for example, is a seven-year boy who has indicated the signs of ODD disorder for the last three years. His parents and teacher have complained persistently about his defiant behavior. He is arrogant at school and, even at times, assaults the peers and siblings. Upon seeking medical help, his parents have noted that he developed Opposite Defiant Disorder.

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How John’s Life Has Been Like

John has a unique personality whereby he can quickly lose temper because of petty issues. For example, wherever the teacher tries so help him solve simple calculations or communication skills, he gets angry and fails to cooperate. He is also fond of quickly getting annoyed by other people. This situation makes it hard for him to socialize and plays with peers comfortably.

Another problem I noted with John is the fact that he likes revenging seriously for anything wrong that is done to him. For example, in case his belongings are taken by his friends probably by mistake, he can either hurt them, insult, or even shout at them. He does not seem to be contented even after they apologize and return them.

John has also been failing to do class assignments and homework. His parents and teachers could complain periodically that he was becoming naughty day by day. Her mother, specifically, always looked frustrated because of John's behavior. I could see her try to seek advice from her friends on how to help her child. I tried several times to guide him, but he could always argue with me and try to justify the reasons. According to him, assignments were hard, and he could not get adequate time to watch cartoons and play. John eventually became uncontrollable because he could argue with parents for any petty reasons and always annoy his peers. Her mother decided to seek help from the hospital because she felt that John's situation was getting worse.

John's Strengths

The strength of John mainly emanated from his parents. They have understood him even though he is so quarrelsome and disobeying. They have also encouraged his siblings to treat him with a lot of love and care. More so, seven months ago, John's parents sought professional guidance from the hospital. Since then, they have been supporting him based on the expert guidance they received from the hospital. His parents have been taking him to the hospital at least once in a week for therapeutic purposes. I have observed John's improvements nowadays. He is becoming friendlier and cooperative as time goes by. Therefore, his parents have played a critical role in the welfare of John. At school, teachers have also treated John with a lot of care. His parents briefed the teacher about the problem John is experiencing, and they agreed to help him in the healing process as well.

John's Limitations

Initially, both teachers and parents could not understand John's situation. The teacher could keep on despising him and even encouraging peers to laugh at him when he became arrogant in class. Parents also tried to punish him for disrespect and disobedience. However, the situation escalated until seven months ago when they decided to seek the doctor's help.

Despite the efforts done by parents and teachers, John finds it somehow challenging to concentrate in class like other children. He is unable to make friends because most of his peers do not like associating with him because of his arrogance and troublesome. Even upon changing, the classmates still finds it hard to embrace him. This makes him experience low self-esteem, which affects his healing process.

John's Baseline Level of Functioning

Just like any other children, John goes to school every day on walking. He even dresses with the help of his parents. He has no problem with diets, and he can eat any kind of food so long as it is tasty and delicious. John usually sleeps with his siblings at around 8:00 pm. However, he has poor communication skills. He is ordinarily rude and likes arguing with adults. Once he is requested to do homework, he claimed that the homework is hard or he is tired. As the parents persist, he becomes annoyed and goes to bed. However, the situation is improving nowadays, and he cooperates at least three days a week. Another issue is that he likes arguing and quarreling with peers and siblings. This has made it difficult for him to be embraced by his peers. However, I have observed some improvements in him within the last one to two months as he can now play with others without causing trouble.

What is likely to have Hindered/Helped him in Earlier DevelopmentAccording to Bronfenbrenner's Theory, the development of a child is mostly affected by surrounding and social relationships (Bronfenbrenner, 2018). The microsystem level is one of the five levels explained by Bronfenbrenner. It is the system that is closest to the child and has direct contact with the person. John's microsystem played the role of supporting him in many circumstances. His teachers and parents have supported John and implemented the doctor's advice on how to handle him during the healing process. For example, in case he fails to do assignments, teachers and parents guide, assist him, as well as counseling him effectively. However, before the parents sought the doctor's advice, John's situation was worsening as he became so arrogant, disobedient, and disturbing. Lack of information about the problem was the main factor that hindered earlier treatment to John. Both parents and teachers were not aware of the disorder that John was suffering from. They used to despise and criticize or ridicule him any time he misbehaved. They could also punish him, a situation that escalated the problem.

John's Prognosis

John remains mean and can quickly become annoyed wherever his peers visit their home or even plays with his toys. Also though he still gets angry wherever his two siblings love at him, the situation has improved. His parent has closely followed the doctor's advice on how to treat him, and the results have been positive. However, the continued treatment has helped John to a great extent. His ODD signs and symptoms have been improving for the last six months.

Currently, John is somehow obedient and less violent. By now, he cooperates well with teachers at school and does most of the work. He also plays with other children without committing serious troubles like hurting them. However, he still argues with adults and parents. More so, he is not fond of doing some exams as he says he is not prepared well. There is a high likelihood that John's situation would be completely healed. The improvement I have observed so far is excellent. He is quite friendly to us because we live in the same estate. He usually visits me, plays with me, and chats with friends, unlike the previous times.

Reference

Wymbs, B. T., Wymbs, F. A., & Dawson, A. E. (2015). Child ADHD and ODD behavior interact with parent ADHD symptoms to worsen parenting and interparental communication. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 43(1), 107-119.Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10802-014-9887-4

Bronfenbrenner, U. (2018). Urie Bronfenbrenner: Learning Context. Learning Theories for Early Years Practice, 66.Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/bronfenbrenners-bioecological-model-bronfenbrenner.html