ADHD and ODD
Look Similar but
Are Very Different.

ADHD and ODD are often mixed up. The problem with that is ODD is a lot different. With Oppositional Defiant Disorder defiance is at the core of the condition. Telling a child with ODD to do something is like lighting a fire under them. They will do the opposite. The more you push for one thing. The more they will push back.

With ADHD there is no push either way. The child often misses the instructions or wasn't able to pay attention to them. Then they don't follow the instructions, not because they don't want to. It may look like they are defying you but they just forgot what to do already.

I covered the ADHD definition here. Now let’s take a look at what Oppositional Defiant Disorder is and see how it exists comorbid with ADHD.

Diagnostic Criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• often loses temper
• often argues with adults
• often actvely defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules
• often deliberately annoys people
• often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour
• is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
• is often angry and resentful
• is often spiteful or vindictive

Note: Consider a criterion met only if the behaviour occurs more frequently than is typically observed in idividuals of comparable age and development level.

B. The disturbance in behaviour causes clinically significant imparment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

What is similar with ADHD

They you think they heard what you said so of course they understood it. That is not always the case.

The child just doesn't respond to what you tell them. This is a frustrating situation and may cause both the parent and the child to get upset. Both lose control and the issues of anger and frustration take over. You are not dealing with ADHD at this point. You are dealing with very immediate and powerful feelings of anger and frustration.

On the surface ADHD and ODD children appear to react the same in this situation.

The difference is:

With ADHD you need to be very clear with what you need your child to do. Often you may have to state your needs several times until the child will catch on. They want to comply but they need to have a chance to get the instructions clearly.

If they do not comply that is frustrating and the adult may show this buy getting angry. That in turn will upset the ADHD child.

The parent is angry because the child won't do what its told and the child is upset because it didn't understand the request and now the parent is angry with them.

With ODD or ADHD and ODD the child here and understands the request. They then choose not to do them. They know what is going on and the make the choice to defy. Even if it hurts them. They would rather do something uncomfortable or unpleasant just to do the opposite of what was asked.

They just don't care what happens to them as long as they can be oppositional.

What should you do about ADHD and ODD?

Medications have been shown to improve the symptoms of ADHD. With ODD they don't really help that much.

Teach problem solving skills. Sometimes the child is not mature enough. They may not have developed the emotions to deal with problems. So they rely of aggression and defiance as a way to communicate. Teaching problem solving skills can help them stay out of trouble when things go bad.

Parent training, family therapy, school and community treatment. All of these treatments are based on increasing positive reinforcement and reducing negative reinforcement.

Here are some simple things you can do to help the situation if your child is not complying:

• Be patient.
• Know when you are dealing with defiance or inattention. State in a clear manner what you need the child to do. Often several times.
• Ask you self. Do they like acting in a way that gets them in trouble and leaves them with no friends?
• Know that when a child become defiant or angry they are communicating the best way they can. They my be trying to communicate something but don't know how.
• Ask do you like acting this way? Do you like screaming and crying? Be careful to ask in a way that does not humiliate them. I am not to good at this one.
• Tell the upset child that until you use your words I won't be talking to you. Unless the tantrum stops I will not respond to you.
• If your child is old enough say I don't treat you this way. I do not yell and scream about things that you ask me to do. Do you think its fair that you act this way to me?

The importance of Treating ODD

Conduct Disorder is a major problem and very difficult to work with. It often persists the rest of a person life and my cause them to get into trouble with the law. It will be a major obstacle in life.

Nipping ADHD and ODD in the bud as a child can head off the major problems that may develop.

As with ADHD there is help and hope. You just need to take the extra steps to help your child. It is doable.

The best thing you can do with your ADHD and ODD child is understand when they are being inattentive and when they are being defiant. Then give them the love and support they need to make the best choice on how to behave.

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