Clinician Administered Treatment Resources

According to Division 12 of the American Psychological Association, Parent training programs for children with oppositional behavior are well-established for the treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder.^1,2 Parent management training involves teaching parents new skills for dealing with oppositional and defiant behavior. Parents are taught to consistently apply consequences (e.g. rewards and punishment) to shape obedient behavior in their children. Since behavioral problems characteristic of ODD are impacted by parent-child interactions, parents also learn about their role in these transactions and how to respond most effectively.³ More

According to Division 53 of the American Psychological Association, several other interventions are likely to be effective for the treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in children, such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.

View the index of evidence-based treatment options for Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorders.

The effectiveness of drug therapy for the treatment of ODD has received less research than other behavioral health issues affecting children. Children suffering with ODD are sometimes prescribed stimulant medications if they are also suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).

¹Walter, H. I., & Gilmore, S. K. (1973). Placebo versus social learning effects in parent training procedures designed to alter the behavior of aggressive boys. Behavior Therapy, 4, 361-377.

²Wells, K. C., & Egan, J. (1988). Social learning and systems family therapy for childhood oppositional disorder: Comparative treatment outcome. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 29, 138-146.

³Eyberg, S. M., O’Brien, K. A., & Chase, R. M. (in press). Oppositional defiant disorder and parent training. In J. E. Fisher & W. O’Donohue (Eds.). Practitioner’s guidelines for evidence based psychotherapy. Kluwer.

Empirically Supported Treatment Manuals

According to the Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, the following are empirically supported treatment references and manuals for treating oppositional behavior in children:

• Helping the Noncompliant Child: A Clinician's Guide for Parent Training
  R. Forehand & R. J. McMahon
• A Program for Families of Children with Learning and Behavior Problems
  M. A.Kozloff
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
    T. L. Hembree-Kigin & C. Bodiford McNeil; foreword by S. Eyberg
• Parents and Adolescents Living Together -- Part 1: The Basics
  G. R. Patterson & M. Forgatch
• Parents and Adolescents Living Together -- Part 2: Family Problem Solving
  M. Forgatch & G. R. Patterson
• Behavioral Family Intervention
  M. R. Sanders & M. R. Dadds
• A Social Learning Approach to Family Interaction (Vol. 1)
  G. R. Patterson, J. B. Reid, R. R. Jones, & R. E. Conger, R. E.
  Contact Castalia Publishing: (541) 343-4433; 687 West 28th Avenue, Eugene, OR, 97405 (no online reference available).

Other Resources

Parent Child Interaction Therapy
This website offers information about PCIT, which the Division 53 of the American Psychological Association considers effective for the treatment of oppositional behaviors in children.

The Incredible Years
Training programs are a comprehensive set of curricula designed to promote social competence and prevent, reduce, and treat aggression and related conduct problems in young children (ages 4 to 8 years). A provider resource addresses the efficacy of the programs, workshops, and more.