Oppositional defiant disorder

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If anyone has experience of Oppositional defiant disorder, can I ask a question about the frequency of meltdowns you experience? I can’t decide if my son’s (6yrs old)behaviour is bad enough to try and get a diagnosis. He can go for a few days without having any serious behaviour issues - a few grumbles here and there but nothing to worry about, and then he will have a massive tantrum about nothing (that I can see) that can last for hours. At the weekend, he worked himself up so badly while we were out - I had to restrain him as he was running off then hitting me and kicking his dad. I was seriously worried about him running into traffic. It was awful. And today, he’s been kicked out of his school sports club for kicking another child in the face and swearing at a teacher.

Compared to some of the things I’ve read, he doesn’t sound too bad, so I just can’t tell if I’m looking for a problem that isn’t there, if you know what I mean.

But we do adjust our lives to manage his behaviour quite often, so I feel that just isn’t right.

I don’t think I’m making much sense but it would be good to know if ODD presents itself all the time or can it appear occasionally??

Thanks

Sorry to bump my own thread, but the school have now recommended that I try and get him assessed- yesterday’s incident was just one of many at school and I’ve been called into meetings with them countless times. We have seen some improvement but not enough, which is causing concern.

Any advice about how to get him assessed? I’m assuming I start with a visit to the GP? Do I take him with me?

Thanks wise ones!!

Your school can make a referral to a community paediatrician, with your consent. You can speak to the SENCo about it.

You can ask for a referral to a development paediatrician through your GP as well. I would probably go on your own to do that.

In the meantime I recommend reading The Explosive Child by Ross Greene to give you some strategies to use at home.
In addition you could look at the PDA Society - a child doesn't have to be diagnosed with ASD / PDA to find the types of strategies they recommend useful.

Finally, I would just say ODD doesn't tend to be diagnosed as much these days. Has that come from school? I think the key is to try and work out what the triggers are when he does meltdown, and go from there. Keeping a diary can be useful.

Thanks both - that’s really really helpful.

The ODD was suggested when I was looking through various behavioural conditions- he seemed to tick most of the boxes. But only some of the time.

I’ve actually got that book somewhere - I’ll give it another read.