Identifying Oppositional Defiant Disorder

All children exhibit behaviors that could be labeled as "oppositional" from time to time: They may talk back, throw tantrums, break rules, annoy others, become angry, etc. Children are more likely to have trouble controlling their behavior when they are tired, hungry, frustrated, stressed, etc. Also, children can act out when their environmental demands exceed their abilities. For example, expecting a five-year-old to sit quietly during a long airplane ride, or when an authority figure is inconsistent about rules or allowable behavior.

A child’s behavior should not be considered abnormal unless it occurs much more frequently than is typically observed by other children of a comparable age and developmental level, or when it seriously affects the child's social, family, and academic life.¹

Does your child exhibit symptoms of ODD? Complete the screening test. Keep in mind that only a trained professional can make a proper diagnosis. You may want to share the results of this screening with your child’s doctor.

Surveys suggest that between 2 and 16 percent of school-aged children are diagnosed with ODD, with rates somewhat higher among preschool-aged children.² ODD is usually diagnosed before the age of eight. If ODD persists into late childhood and adolescence it tends to be more severe, or may develop into Conduct Disorder. According to the DSM-IV, ODD is more prevalent among boys than girls before puberty, with rates being equal thereafter. However, other findings suggest that up to the age of eight, boys and girls are equally affected by ODD, but boys with ODD tend to be more disruptive than girls with ODD.²

Children with ODD are not likely to simply "outgrow" the problem, at least not right away. Symptoms may improve over time as children and their families receive treatment or develop tools for coping with this disorder.