Clinical Assessment Tools for ODD

Comprehensive assessment of ODD includes parent interviews, parent and teacher rating scales, and behavioral observation of the child.¹

Self-Report Measures

Children’s behavior can vary depending upon the context; therefore rating scales are useful for obtaining information from collaterals (e.g., parents and teachers) in different settings. Several recommended measures include:¹

• Child Behavior Checklist
  Preschool and school aged measures, including youth self-report and parent and teacher versions.
• Conners Ratings Scales
  Both long and short forms are available.
• Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory

Clinician-Administered Assessments

Several semi-structured clinical interviews may be helpful for assessing ODD and determining if other pediatric psychiatric disorders are involved.¹

• Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment

Direct observation of a child’s behavior may also provide useful information for making a diagnosis and determining appropriate treatment. One recommended direct observation coding system is the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS).¹

¹Eyberg, 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.