Functionally dealing with ODD in classroom

Managing a class full of pupils is a walk in the park… but this one’s a Jurassic Park.

A teacher ensures that every child is given equal attention and proper care in class. Yet it is often noticed that some children behave in a manner that is detrimental to not only the class but also to itself. Such children defy every norm that a teacher might have set in class that is followed by all others but him.

When this happens over a continued period of time and after many attempts of correcting the behaviour, it is time to refer to a counsellor for possible traits of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

What exactly is classroom ODD which is currently taking a toll amongst modern-day students?

ODD is categorised by a pattern of angry/short-tempered mood, quarrelsome/defiant behaviour, in students. The most common trait displayed by an ODD student is arguing and disagreeing with school authorities such as teachers and educators and refusing to obey with school rules and regulations. As per statistics, ODD has been stated to impact between 2 to 16 per cent of children and adolescents in the overall population. The disorder can last for about a time frame of six months and it has been researched that about 40 to 50 per cent of children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show signs of having co-existing ODD. The child has a possibility to develop ODD at any time, and if left untreated, the condition can lead to more grave issues. Thus, ODD is a serious ailment that requires immediate medical intervention.

SYMPTOMS OF ODD

• Anger and bitterness
   
• Tendency to debate and get into an argument
   
• Short temperedness
   
• Reluctance to comply to adults’ requests or instructions
   
• Tendency to irritate and infuriate people
   
• Meanness and malice

HOW IS IT CAUSED?

The source of ODD is thought to be environmental, inherited, biological or medical in nature. This disorder is often found in children who belong to dysfunctional families, get little support, or sometimes have demanding parents and guardians who micromanage and interfere with their children’s learning. Furthermore, the child can be susceptible to fall prey to ODD if there any history of mental illness in other family members. Once the child has been diagnosed there are various treatments that include conduct modification, psychoanalysis, parent and teacher management training and skills training. 

TACKLE ODD

• A regular reminder of the teacher’s understanding and respect for the student.
   
• A reward system – students with ODD do much better with rewards than sanctions.
   
• Opportunities for the student to demonstrate the skills they do well
   
• When the schedule changes, prepare children with ODD individually.
   
• Praise positive behaviour

Mrs. Archana Goenka  Academic Director, C.P Goenka International School