Oppositional Defiant Disorder Diagnosis

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a great psychologist that specializes in ODD? My 7 year old son exhibits all classic traits (I’ve read books on this) and I’m having trouble finding someone who specializes in ODD in DC. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Can't help you there but I urge anyone with a child that exhibits ODD (especially if it seems like it's sudden onset) to pay close attention if/when your child is taking antibiotics. If there is a sudden flare or a dramatic decrease in symptoms, it is possibly an underlying infection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a great psychologist that specializes in ODD? My 7 year old son exhibits all classic traits (I’ve read books on this) and I’m having trouble finding someone who specializes in ODD in DC. Thanks in advance.

I made an appointment with Kennedy Kriejer. it's far but they take insurance. Also, once we have a diagnosis and a treatment plan, then I will focus my attention finding a provider close to home. That's the approach I have decided to take with DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here: We have had a few sessions with a fantastic psychologist (out of network of course) for our son and she thinks that he most likely has anxiety exhibiting itself as ODD, she also thinks he might have ADHD. We are going to wait until our neuropsych testing at KKI and continue seeing her in the meantime. We've also met with her on our own to go over various parenting techniques.

He's been much better in his new class but is still somewhat reactionary. For example he was in a group of three in Science and his group mates thought he spilled a glass of water during the experiment when he didn't so he pushed one of them. He's also been having nightmares lately. It's a work in progress, and all these shortened weeks we've been having haven't helped since he thrives on structure but it's been going well considering.

This is wonderful, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some kids are O & D because their teacher sucks sms treats them badly. I have worked with elementary kids for many years and seen this more than a few times. The school will never admit a teacher sucks and treats kids badly. However, sometimes they will approve a transfer to another class. Sounds like that might be what happened to your kid. They might characterize it as a personality conflict, and although some other kids might tolerate the lousy teacher better than your kid that doesn't make the situation your kid's fault.

Yup +1

[Anonymous]

I also recommend the Autism Discussion Page books, specifically his section on oppositional behavior, not necessarily disorder.

[Anonymous]

I worked with a kid who was labeled Anxiety and ODD, but in my opinion the ODD was totally brought on by the Anxiety. If the school doesn't recognize this, and thinks the ODD is just random defiance for the hell of it, they will not get too far in helping this type of kid.

[Anonymous]

OP, I know this thread has been inactive for several weeks, but who is the psychologist that has been helpful? My child sounds a lot like yours....Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know this thread has been inactive for several weeks, but who is the psychologist that has been helpful? My child sounds a lot like yours....Thank you!

OP Here: My son is seeing Dr. Karen Weise in Friendship Heights. He goes there biweekly. He hasn't really had additional issues in school since his classroom change but now has a 504 plan and BIP in place just in case. My husband and I also meet with her solo to talk about various parenting techniques.

We actually got further neuropsych testing for him at KKI and his diagnosis has been changes to ADHD hyperactive impulsive type with emerging mood disorder. The tester wasn't quite sure if it was anxiety or depression and recommended further testing with a psychiatrist. The folks at KKI were actually quite surprised he was diagnosed with ODD at Mt. Washington and said that it was uncommon for that diagnosis to be made before an ADHD diagnosis and treating that first to see if it alleviated the symptoms and he wasn't exhibiting symptoms in enough locations to make it really valid. I'm glad that we pursued additional testing. It ends up several people this message board were correct about the diagnosis.

He isn't currently medicated since the therapy seems to be helping and he hasn't had any major issues for the past 3 months, but we are going to meet with a psychiatrist soon.

[Anonymous]

I have this exact same situation and would love advice of this poster to help my same situation at home🥹

Anonymous wrote:KKI also diagnosed my son with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Frankly, I never believed it as a sole diagnosis. To no surprised, DS was later diagnosed with ADHD (combined type), processing disorder and executive issues. The combination of ADHD, the poor exclusive social environment that he was in and his high IQ basically created a child who was his own nightmare. Counter-intuitive to what we were advised by the professionals, we became extremely tough on his behavior and buckle down on a strict routine. He was rewarded when he behaved well and was punished when he did not. It was hard being consistent all the time for years. His self-confidence took a huge hit, but it was plunging anyway with his social environment at school.

We realize that he has ADHD but frankly the world does not care what diagnose a child has; they only care what the result is, and when you have a naturally curious and capable child, his "gift" gets ignored and forgotten due to his poor behavior.

Fast forward 3 years and I think we are finally making some headway. We spend a lot of time talking to him about his emotions. We are also stern with him. He has matured and become more responsible. He is now in the gifted center in 4th grade and am told by his teacher that he is incredibly kind, helpful and grounded. Nothing is perfect and he has mostly good and a few bad days, but the routines we have drilled into him has incredibly helped. Oppositional Defiant Disorder was handled with military-like consequences and regiments in our house, and that has worked for our son.

[Anonymous]

Hi, so I’m the original OP of this post, so interesting it’s popping up again! My DS is now 13 going on 14. I wish I could tell you everything improved 100% but it’s been up and down since he was 7 or 8. His diagnosis right now is ADHD plus some mood component that we still haven’t been able to fully figure out, but it tends to be prompted by peer interactions. He's tricky because he'll go months without any issues and then have a big reaction to something in school. It’s definitely gotten better with age but it hasn’t fully disappeared.

He presents as perfectly neurotypical most of the time so when the behaviors arise after 4 months of great behavior it’s a shock to his school. He currently has a 504 plan. His psychiatrist is considering adding DMDD or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria at this point. Throughout the years he’s been in OT, social skills groups (PEERS), and completed the Behavior Management Clinic at KkI (which he graduated with flying colors).

His behaviors are always based those rare triggers which is tough because most of the time he can rationalize and presents as fine, it would almost be easier to get some type of diagnosis if it happened more often. He’s in biweekly in person therapy and has friends at school, so in chosen social groups he’s fine.

In terms of meds he’s currently on 2mg Guanfacine. He has been on Prozac in the past for a few months which made things worse. We are currently considering other meds to address the mood piece and I’ve been looking into the Matthew’s protocol.

I wish I could be more helpful! My best advice is to find ways to build your child up. My son has gone to camp Sequoia the past 2 years and had a fantastic time and it really builds up his self confidence. He’s also has weekly piano lessons and is starting with a personal trainer and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Happy to answer any other questions.

Right now the big thing is high school. I’m the poster who was debating if a school change could impact behaviors. We’re between a big MCPS public school and a smaller but still large independent Catholic.

Anonymous wrote:I have this exact same situation and would love advice of this poster to help my same situation at home🥹

Anonymous wrote:KKI also diagnosed my son with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Frankly, I never believed it as a sole diagnosis. To no surprised, DS was later diagnosed with ADHD (combined type), processing disorder and executive issues. The combination of ADHD, the poor exclusive social environment that he was in and his high IQ basically created a child who was his own nightmare. Counter-intuitive to what we were advised by the professionals, we became extremely tough on his behavior and buckle down on a strict routine. He was rewarded when he behaved well and was punished when he did not. It was hard being consistent all the time for years. His self-confidence took a huge hit, but it was plunging anyway with his social environment at school.

We realize that he has ADHD but frankly the world does not care what diagnose a child has; they only care what the result is, and when you have a naturally curious and capable child, his "gift" gets ignored and forgotten due to his poor behavior.

Fast forward 3 years and I think we are finally making some headway. We spend a lot of time talking to him about his emotions. We are also stern with him. He has matured and become more responsible. He is now in the gifted center in 4th grade and am told by his teacher that he is incredibly kind, helpful and grounded. Nothing is perfect and he has mostly good and a few bad days, but the routines we have drilled into him has incredibly helped. Oppositional Defiant Disorder was handled with military-like consequences and regiments in our house, and that has worked for our son.

[Anonymous]

If he has a huge outburst in a Catholic school they can kick him out. In the public school he would be somewhat protected by his documented diagnoses. Getting expelled from the Catholic school would likely damage him emotionally. I’d go with the public option. Glad to hear he has improved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he has a huge outburst in a Catholic school they can kick him out. In the public school he would be somewhat protected by his documented diagnoses. Getting expelled from the Catholic school would likely damage him emotionally. I’d go with the public option. Glad to hear he has improved.

OP here: We've gone down that road before where he went to private for half of 6th grade and had a big issue and left back to his public. That's my concern, but I also worry that the social scene at his current school will probably carry on to high school with more rowdiness and negative influences. My thought process is that you can always go back to public school but you can't easily get readmitted to private, especially after any issues that would be prompting the move.

We're spending the rest of this school year and summer really drilling down to get some medication/exercise plan together and keeping our fingers crossed. My hope is that with age, he will continue to regulate.

[Anonymous]

Thank you OP! My daughter is 7 and mirrors so similarly in behaviors and challenges so this is helpful. This past week we have had daily phone calls from the school and they have asked if it’s possible for her not to take the bus because she is so disruptive as well as we can’t seem hold down a nanny for more then 6 months as they quit typically due to the behavior of our daughter. The school just recommmeded a full testing and we are moving forward vice the 4K bill from the private psychologist. I was struggling w switching her to a private school but fear the issue w crop up there too. Are there any schools for kids w these types of challenges folks are aware of? Many thanks

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a parents support group available?