ODD disorder is short for oppositional defiant disorder. It is not something you would wish for anyone’s child to have.

If your child or pre-teen or teen has been diagnosed with ODD disorder, then you may already be familiar with the problems that come with it.

Opposition at every turn; defiance for every rule in the house; explosive arguments; shouting; and displays of bad temper are just some of its common consequences.

ODD disorder truly presents a tremendous difficulty for parents to handle.

Peace and order would just be a couple of its first casualties at home when ODD strikes a member of the family. With it, there can be no breathing room for you. Problems can only intensify as the child grows.

What may have been plain defiance and disrespect at home could worsen into expulsion from school to running with the wrong crowd to running afoul with the law.

Thus, it is important for parents to recognize the signs of ODD disorder in their children early so that help can intervene and prevent the disorder from turning children into monsters.

The signs of ODD disorder include but are not limited to the following:

• Frequent displays of bad temper
• Resentfulness/Spitefulness/Vindictiveness
• Delighting in annoying others
• Destructive behavior
• Refusal of even the most simple requests
• Defiance especially to authority
• Refusal to take responsibility for actions
• Blaming others for own behavior
• Querulous
• Moody

In time, the disorder could worsen and you will see displays of more worrisome behavior like:

• Using foul language
• Alienation from normal kids
• Keeping bad company
• Involvement in petty crimes
• Dropping out/Expulsion from school
• Promiscuity
• Abusing alcohol/drugs
• Running away from home

The list can go on and on. But what can be gleaned from all this is the fact that ODD disorder, when left untreated, could transform your child into somebody you would not like.

Have your child checked for ODD disorder immediately when you suspect that he might have the disorder. The earlier this disorder is detected, the less troublesome it would be for you to correct.

The services of a behavioral therapist is a must as ODD disorder is actually a behavior problem. The Total Transformation Program is one such behavior change program that not only helps transform your defiant child but helps you help him/her recover from such a disorder.