Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, is a diagnosis that is being given more and more in the last few years. Here are the typical characteristics of someone with ODD:
There are two sets of problems associated with ODD, a tendency to purposefully bother and irritate others, and some aggressive behavior. Many time ODD may not be the only diagnosis. When coupled with ADD or ADHD the problem intensifies. ODD is typically not a singular diagnosis. Here are some indicators of ODD.
If the person becomes negative, hostile, and has defiant behavior lasting at least six months, coupled with four or more of the following behaviors, chances are good Oppositional Defiant Disorder may be present.
1. Tends to lose temper,
or fly off the handle regularly.
2. Argumentative with teachers, parents, anyone in a position
of authority.
3. Deliberately works to annoy others.
4. Won't accept responsibility for their actions, blames
others.
5. Easily annoyed by others.
6. Has a lot of anger and resentment for those around them.
7. Displays vindictive and sometimes spiteful behavior.
There are several Oppositional Boarding Schools around the country. We have several ODD Boarding Schools that may work for your teen. There is not an Oppositional Boarding School Directory that we know of, but many of the schools that work with defiant teens will take ODD students.
Truancy, or Skipping School
Truancy, or skipping school, is problematic is most school districts. In many cases, with little to no support at home, many children are allowed to skip school, or cut class. Even a concerned parent may not find out until weeks after the fact that their child has been skipping school or has been truant. The dilemma is that in many cases the student skipping school or reported truant is a difficult student to have in class. It is not a priority for the school or teacher to make sure he or she comes, as it is easier to do their job when the child is gone. Not always, but in some districts, the child may be allowed to pass on to the next grade or school to avoid having to deal with them for another year.
Some states have decided to place responsibility for the truant teen on to their parents. There are stiff sentences, and fines, for parents of a teen determined to skip school. While this approach may work in some cases, if the teen is defiant to parental, school, and even legal authority, the only one to suffer is the parent. The parent then has to deal not only with the difficulties of a defiant teen but also with the legal system, as well as to their employer Because they are forced to take the time off work necessary to monitor their teen. Many parents have actually lost their jobs trying to keep their child in school.
President Bill Clinton said, "Truancy is a warning signal that a child is in trouble and is often a gateway to crime. The difference between success and failure in life for our children is whether they're learning on the streets or in the school where they belong. The street is not an acceptable alternative to the classroom."
Failing Schools
In some instances the schools themselves are struggling. In a speech by President Bob Chase of the National Education Association, he indicated: The federal government should help schools before they fail and prevent any student from attending a failing school. The preventative solutions Chase offered address problems that lead to school failure head on. "As educators on the front lines of America's classrooms, standing eyeball to eyeball with our students, we have firsthand knowledge about what 'leaving no child behind' requires," said Chase.
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