Photo Credit: Rifka Schonfeld
If you are living with a child who has ODD, life is unpredictable and taxing. There are, however, things that you can do to help your child overcome these difficult circumstances. One solution is Plan B of Dr. Ross Green’s author of The Explosive Child.
Below is a chart that outlines the different steps:
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| Step 1: Empathy | Step 2: Define Problem | Step 3: Invite Solutions |
| Gather information about the problem so that you can better understand what your child is going through. Try to approach the problem from your child’s perspective. | Verbalize the problem out loud so that your child hears your empathy and understanding. Begin with something such as, “Your concern is…” or “You are frustrated about…” | Now that the problem has been empathized with and verbalized, brainstorm realistic and mutually satisfactory solutions with your child. |
Other solutions include cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training.
The good news? Riley, the author of The Defiant Child,tells us,“Part of my reason for optimism is that oppositional children and teenagers are often quite bright, creative, and vigorous. These are characteristics that bode well for long-term success, and with the right kind of help, that’s what your oppositional child can achieve.”
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