How do you discipline ODD ADHD children?

Answer 1

It needs to be very similar to normal children unless they have autism.

Educational perspective:

• All children need to know exactly what is expected before it is expected.
• They need to know the consequences before they test the rules.
• They need to know that when the consequences are applied that it is directly the result of their behavior and the choices they made.
• They need to know that regardless of what they do, that what you do is the result of your feelings and concern for them.
• The rules and consequences must be consistent and realistic, and consequences must fit the misbehavior.

This being said, children living with ODD must be dealt with firmly, consistently, and with easily identifiable caring feelings. Part of the issue or the source of opposition defiance is that these kids, many of them, are dealing with anger issues that rise out of treatment that many of the received while younger. This is not a judgment against the parents. Most parents, abusive or otherwise, do what they do because they are unaware of the damage they may be doing, or are doing the best they can with the information and knowledge they possess. Rarely will you find an abusive or neglectful parent or caregiver who is so for malicious or malignant reasons. Most are dealing with difficult issues of their own. In short they are broken, and the children they raise become broken too. While everyone is ultimately responsible for their own inappropriate behavior, none of us is raised or lives in a vacuum. We bounce of each other, those around us, and all too often the "bounce" results in unexpected or worrisome ricochets that are difficult to predict.

While prediction is difficult, addressing the issues afterward are easier. Start with narrow focus, use every example of negative or inappropriate behavior as a teaching moment, and help kids with ODD and ADHD make better choices.

Oddly enough, there are treatments common to those used in the treatment of PTSD. If you look at the research for ODD, ADHD, and PTSD, you'll see a lot of different treatment suggestions, but the best course of action is to keep it simple, and engage children (or anyone dealing with these issues) in their own treatment. Let them cooperate with developing rules and consequences. Just be ready to moderate their suggestions. Children, especially those living with ODD, ADHD (and PTSD), can be harsh when it comes to suggesting discipline or punishments.