Understanding & Recognizing Oppositional Defiant Disorder in the Classroom

A child who, beyond all understanding, refuses to cooperate in all likeliness has a condition known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Some of the symptoms or signs to recognize Oppositional Defiant Disorder in the classroom are as follows.

• Negative, hostile, defiant; will not comply with requests made by adults
• Persistent arguing with adults; belligerent, obstinate
• Intense rigidity and inflexibility; feel entitled to make unreasonable demands
• Touchy, resentful, spiteful; blame others when apprehended

The earlier the conduct disorder is identified and treated, the better the chance for success.

Children with ODD may experience:

• High rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide;
• Academic difficulties;
• Poor relationships with peers or adults;
• Difficulty staying in foster care or group homes; and
• High rates of injuries, school expulsions, and problems with the law

A child with ODD at age seven will, without treatment, pose a considerable threat to society at age 15. Bigger, stronger, conditioned by years of oppositional resistance and bullying, this teenager will persist in antisocial behaviors that “up the ante” in danger to others. This stresses the need to identify Oppositional Defiant Disorder in the classroom at the earliest.

How can you help an ODD child in your classroom?

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Recognizing Early-Onset Mental Health Disorders in Children

Children with CD or ODD also may experience:

• High rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide;
• Academic difficulties;
• Poor relationships with peers or adults;
• Difficulty staying in foster care or group homes; and
• High rates of injuries, school expulsions, and problems with the law