009 One Effective Behavior Management Strategy for Oppositional or Defiant Behaviors

Many parents of children with ADHD watch them engage in problematic behaviors and wonder if they may have Oppositional Defiant Disorder.  ODD diagnoses are common among children who were first diagnosed with ADHD, and in this episode we discuss why this may be the case.  Rather than looking at these two diagnoses separately, we link the symptoms of ADHD to oppositional and defiant behavior.  Kids with non-neurotypical brains can become easily frustrated or dysregulated, and they perceive things more intensely than do people with neurotypical brains.  An event that seems innocuous to us can lead to a response from our kids that we perceive as an overreaction.

This can be frustrating for us as parents, but it is critical to validate their feelings and show them that we understand what they are experiencing.  We suggest scripting and practicing your responses to these intense behaviors, making sure to prompt a positive behavior shift in simple language.  Emotional validation can defuse the situation and decrease defiant behavior.

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference.

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