A highly recommended neurologist told us years ago, "I don't really believe in an ODD diagnosis for kids this age. When you look at it more, they usually have something to be oppositional about."

ODD is not really a diagnosis. It describes symptoms of behavior but says nothing about the cause. There is often but not always ADHD, ASD, anxiety, or an adjustment disorder that goes along with it. Keep digging into what is driving behavior.
I had a child start exhibiting symptoms of ODD at age 8-9. After extensive medical investigation, it turned out the child had sleep apnea which was contributing to an inability to control and regulate emotions and problems with executive function. All symptoms resolved once child received treatment. We did get the child therapy which helped recognize and change beliefs and thought processes.

We took my child to a pyschologist at 4 who was ready to diagnose ODD very very quickly. Got a terrible vib from her (including how little time she spent with our child, got second and third opinions which ended up yep ADHD and anxiety. Treatment for those has been very helpful, as has parent training for us. Child is definitely not oppositional. ODD is often not stand alone and kind of a lazy diagnosis sometimes. I’d get a second opinion and pursue parental training (helpful regardless of diagnosis) especially kazdin method as already mentioned

We got an ODD/anxiety diagnosis. Wouldn't do therapy (becuase...ODD). We medicated the anxiety, the ODD disappeared.

It's a controversial diagnosis. These kids always seem to also have some combination of anxiety, ADHD, autism. So is ODD truly its own diagnosis, or a way of describing behaviors that come with other disorders? I'm not trying to minimize it. The behaviors exist, no matter what label you slap on it.

I hope you find what works for you. I truly feel for what you're going through.

Anonymous wrote:You need to find a therapy practice that has parent training for kids with disruptive behaviors. Therapy with a 6 year old is probably not going to do much good. How you respond and don’t respond to the behaviors is how to make change. (The Kazdin method is often the basis of programs like this.)

https://changeanxiety.com/services-specializations/parent-management-training/

http://www.behaviortherapycenter.com/dbm-group

You need to find a therapy practice that has parent training for kids with disruptive behaviors. Therapy with a 6 year old is probably not going to do much good. How you respond and don’t respond to the behaviors is how to make change. (The Kazdin method is often the basis of programs like this.)

Who told you the kids has ODD? Are there other diagnoses as well? My child was labeled iwth ODD, turns out very high anxiety and ADHD

My 6-yr old son has ODD. He acts out daily at home. My DH and I few so miserable having to deal with him. We are looking for an ODD therapist around Rockville/Bethesda/Potomac.