How do you differentiate between Oppositional Defiant Disorder and normal "bad" behavior in 3.10 year old boy?

Question

My son is getting angry a lot, hitting, spitting, kicking, bad attitude , etc when asked to do things he doesn't want to do like clean up, for example. He is the same with parents, teachers and babysitters. However, he is pleasant at most other times. I wonder when the DSM-IV criteria kicks iin. Does it have to be constant behavior or is it a certain degree of behavior that makes this something other than a "phase"? He has a 9 month old brother as well. He also scrams a lot. I think its for attention ,but who knows.

Answer 1

three year olds could have lots of different disorders but hes only 3, and i dont think kids should even need to be considered to have a disorder like odd or add or anything like that until there alot older like after 4th grade. hes only three and i think unless your really worried that he could hurt someone or hurt himself you shouldnt worry about it until hes older. please dont get him mixed up with evaluations for disorders. some of those meds can really mess up little kids. its probably just a phase and if you think it might be odd the symptoms have to be there for over 6 months

Answer 2

I think that he just want attention. Make sure that you play games with him and read to him. Also ever time he hits or does something bad send him to his room for 3 min (trust me thats a long time to a three year old) or if that does not work a swat on the butt might (nothing else though, just a little spanking, but this could make the proublem worse so stop if it does not help) you can also try a good behaver chart and ever time he does something goo (like helps you water the flowers, plays nicly with his brother ect.) and once he gets so maney (like 10 or 15) take him out for ice cream or bye him a small cheap toy. Did he do this befor his brother was born? If not that I'm almost sure he just want attention. Make sure the he gets anofe sleep and healthy food. Ask him to tell you how he feels when he gets angy sing or do something else calming and relexing. When he has a temper tanrum get everthing out of his was and just let it run its coars (unless his is hurting people). Be firm with him and don't back down. He might say I hate you and he might scream but evently it will work. If this does not help then go and by some books on how to help raise him. Raising children is very hard, especliy is this is you first child. If they behaver does not stop by the time he is 7 I would start to get worrried.

p.s. also make sure that his is not eating/drining alot of stuff with suger in it and make sure that he is not watching violent t.v. shows

Good luck!!

Answer 3

How do you discipline him? Are you consistent? Are you firm? I worry from the question you asked that you are one of those parents who is always making excuses for their child's behavior? At almost four, with a new baby at home, his behavior sounds like that of an angry child who is used to getting what he wants and having excuses made for him, and is pissed he's having to do anything he doesn't want. And he has your number, because you may be the type of guilt-ridden (for whatever reason) parent who instead of saying "knock it off, Billy" and establishing clear boundaries, rules and consequences, gets all, "oh, honey, what is bothering you blahblahblah talktalktalk" when really, Billy need a good smack.
There are great parenting books out there that have really been helpful to us. John Rosemond is excellent. So is "Dr. Ray Guarendi (sp!). Good luck, be strong. You are in charge. Kids want you to be in charge. Do not let Billy be in charge!
Also, feel free to read about ODD, ADD and all that, but I would caution you to do so only in the context of obtaining info that may be helpful to you in dealing with your child, not in a way as to give him some excuse for his bad behavior. If you don't feel like picking something up, you do it anyway, because you have to. How did you learn that?

Answer 4

To me this is typical 3 year old behavior that has to be dealt with with firmness and consistency. The fact the psychiatric profession has started to label this as a disorder is harmful and dangerous, I think. Not everything is a pathology. Just make him go to his room or stand in the corner when he does this and do it every time. Remove him from some activity he likes and tell him you can't listen to him when he talks that way but you will be glad to hear him when he has calmed down.

Answer 5

you recognize whilst my son became 3 he became the comparable way. He became very friendly with strangers. He bounced off of each and every thing, climbed , He did no longer prefer to hearken to. it is common. they're very headstrong at this age. which you need to to think approximately looking into his nutrition plan. i observed that mine have been given significantly worse if he had something sugary. so a approaches as habit is going, i attempted to discipline as ultimate you could a three year. previous yet between the final issues i think of i will have accomplished became %. out the final traits he had and that i might harp on those till the cows come homestead. i might tell each and every person jointly as he became recent each and all the coolest issues he did and that i might tell him what a good boy he became. How loving he became and how candy and how all of us loves a candy little boy. we would watch t.v. shows at the same time and whilst there became a brat on t.v. i might factor it out how i can not stand undesirable little boys and how no one likes human beings whilst they act that way. It have been given his interest and then he might start to word how undesirable somebody became after which you have a factor of connection with chat approximately once you spot habit which you dislike in him. i think of that mine hit the undesirable 2's whilst he became 3 a million/2 and had them till he became 5. One good element nonetheless is he could desire to be a holy terror at homestead yet there is not any problems whilst he is going to somebody elses homestead or whilst he is going to college. I consistently get good comments so from time to time this is extra useful they behave badly at homestead and not out in Public. LOL.