Could you please post to Facebook for a greater response? My 9 year old son has recently been diagnosed with ODD. We have been battling his behaviour for 3 years now to which the end of last year to now has gone completely out of control to where I am physically, emotionally & meantally drained. So who knows how my son feels. He is fully aware of the frustration & angry he holds & that saddens me soo much. In saying that though I will not stop fighting to give my son the live he deserves. Upon reading up on this condition it says that if you don't manage it in their younger years then they tend to have trouble in their adult lives, something I do not accept for my son. He also has anxiety but no other conditions. I am wanting to connect with parents who have been in a similar position to see what has or has not worked. What got you through in the tougher days & how you kept your sanity. Was you a working parent? Or stay at home. I am considering dropping work hours to school hours to have more structure & routine.
3 Replies
My almost 11 yo was diagnosed with ODD alongside ASD at age 4
I read up on it back then and freaked out slightly but after that it fell from my mind
Trouble started with him around 9, he became angry, withdrawn, obsessive, violent and self-injurious
Although I can see aspects of ODD, I'm still 100% sure that's exactly what it is
He ticks enough boxes to be diagnosed, but I believe his behaviours stem from his autistic viewpoint, anxiety, hormones etc, and his psychologist has said the same
He recently started on meds (risperidone) is seeing a psych, and has transitioned from mainstream to a support class
I would say don't get too caught up in reading, there are some really depressing articles out there on ODD, just focus on your son and getting him support, build up his strengths and just love the bejesus outta him
For all my sons defiance and anger, he is the sweetest child I've ever met, can be empathetic to the point of distressing himself, and I have a super-strong bond with him, I often feel closer to him than my other 4 children
Recognising how difficult it must be for him is an awesome step for you, a lot of parents don't get there and it is crucially important to recognise, it has kept my sanity to remember no matter how frustrated/exhausted/confused/angry I am, it's only a taste of how he feels and that perspective can really help everyone
I'm also a sahm, 4 out of my 5 kids have been diagnosed with various levels of ASD and all the other fun stuff that goes along with it
I need the time for appointments, calls to school etc, but also so I can gather myself enough to be present for them
I'm hoping to return to work next year part time, but if you can afford to drop some hours, I think you'll see some benefits
I would also love a support network! My 11yr old has ODD & Anxiety, we have had intervention since he was 4 & it is a hard, lonely road.
Hi, my 6 year old was diagnosed with ADHD and borderline ODD last year, i also have 2 more boys they are 7 and 3. I found the support of early intervention was the best for us, it ceased once he started school. My son sees an occupational therapist who helps him identify his own emotions and gives him the tools to handle these. My hope is that even though it is extremely hard now that if i continue on this path of showing him the right way that it will eventually click. His behaviour impacts our family life, he can be quite nasty to his younger brother and fights with his older brother. He is a very affectionate, loving, caring boy, so much so will actually cry if one of his brothers are hurt. He just has trouble handling his own behaviour. We avoid certain situations, or have a very sought out plan for outings such as birthday parties, he tends to get very excited but then just can't stop.
My younger brother, a younger male cousin and apparently my dad and his brothers were a lot like my son as children. I remember my brother setting the fridge on fire as a 5 year old out of curiosity, my brother now is married, has a beautiful son of his own and owns his own home and is very hard working. My brother was tested for adhd but wasn't diagnosed, i believe there is definitely family history. My dad runs a successful business my cousin finished school and is working, my other uncle taught himself to make violins....im rambling, but there is hope. My mum remembers a paediatrician telling her to find something my brother was good at and stick to it!! And like someone else said "just love the bejesus outta him"!!
Im fortunate to be a sham, i don't think i would be able to dedicate the time to my boys that they need if i worked. With appointments ect
hope gets me through the tougher days, talking to family, and focusing on the good things my kids do.
All the drs keep pushing for medication, at times i think lets give it a go, but i believe he will never learn to manage his behaviour if the medication does all the work.
He also is funded in school under severe behaviour, he currently has an aide. Im happy for you to contact me.