When a child displays defiant behavior, it can feel baffling and challenging for parents. Oppositional and defiant behavior can also be a sign of oppositional defiant disorder, which is a behavioral disorder marked by regular and severe disruptive and inappropriate behavior. The first step to managing defiant behavior in your child or teen is understanding what's happening in their brain. Once you understand the science behind what's happening, you can move forward in helping them to better cope with their feelings and manage their behavioral responses.
Studies show that kids who display defiant behavior may have a different reaction in their brain and body as a reaction to stress, fear, and punishment when compared to children who don't display defiant behavior. Children with ODD show altered cortisol activity in the brain when they're stressed and abnormal levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, which means that punishments may have a different effect on them. This difference in reactivity in the brain causes them to respond differently to punishment and the negative effects of behavior. This can result in being less responsive to rewards and punishments and may make them more likely to act out without fearing any repercussions.
A Tendency Towards Differences in Sensitivity and Stimuli in Our Environment
Many kids who display regular misbehavior may experience sensory stimuli differently. Some kids feel things too much, and loud noises or touch may be extremely overwhelming and even stressful. Other kids have a nervous system that is less sensitive to outer stimuli, and they may regularly seek sensory activities to give them some kind of experience or reward. Sensory seeking activities may seem like "acting out" or "risk-taking behavior," when they are simply looking for a more stimulating experience, or they are looking for sensory soothing.
Research shows that children with ODD have trouble controlling impulses and emotional behavior. Scientists believe that these children may have underdeveloped prefrontal cortexes—or, the part of the brain that is in charge of executive functioning and managing impulsive behavior. It's actually biologically more difficult for them to manage their emotional reactions and the behavior associated with those reactions, and managing defiant behavior may take extra work and practice. The development of our pre-frontal cortex begins when we're very young and continues into our mid-twenties. For some kids this area develops later, creating a brain less able to contain and control emotions and behavior.
If you have a child who regularly exhibits defiant behavior, this may be a sign of immaturity in aspects of development. Behaviors may be a sign that your child is experiencing sensory stimuli or impulse control immature for their age. An assessment at one of our centers can help to identify the area of immaturity and create a plan to impact this, resulting in a child who is more able to control behaviors, leading to a more successful academic and personal life. In fact, Parents saw a 43% improvement, on average, in their child’s behavior following the completion of the Brain Balance program.* Contact us today!
*Results based on aparent evaluation form filled out pre and post-program where the parents ranked a set of statements about their child, on a scale from 0-10 (0=not observed/does not apply and 10=frequently observed).Statement:Child is argumentative, oppositional or uncooperative at home – 43% improvement for median student (2015-2018 data for 4,284 students where parents reported this issue).
Studies show that when kids are displaying defiant behavior, their brains and bodies are having a reaction to stress, fear, and punishment that is different compared to children who don't display defiant behavior. Children show altered cortisol activity in the brain when they're stressed.
Research shows that children with ODD have trouble controlling impulses and emotional behavior. Scientists believe that these children may have underdeveloped prefrontal cortexes—or, the part of the brain that is in charge of executive functioning and managing impulsive behavior.
Children with persistent oppositional defiance have an underlying commonality: they have difficulty regulating their emotions. This commonality allows us to view their behaviors as stress responses, not purposeful misbehavior to annoy adults or gain “negative” attention.
There's no known clear cause of oppositional defiant disorder. Causes may include a combination of genetic and environmental factors: Genetics. A child's natural personality or character — also called temperament — may contribute to developing ODD .
The exact cause of ODD is not known, but a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors may contribute to the condition. Brain chemistry: ODD has been linked to certain types of brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters, that don't work the right way.
Kids can also develop defiant behaviors as a way to cope with trauma, abuse, or other negative life experiences. While genetics and bad experiences play a role, parenting does as well. Many loving parents unintentionally encourage defiance by disciplining in ways that are too permissive, too harsh, or inconsistent.
Lack of structure or parental supervision, inconsistent discipline practices, and exposure to abuse or community violence have also been identified as factors which may contribute to the development of ODD.
Interpersonal trauma was significantly correlated with irritability and defiance/vindictiveness among males and females. Non-interpersonal trauma was not related to either irritability or defiance/vindictiveness in males or females.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a condition in which your child displays a pattern of uncooperative, defiant and angry behavior toward people in authority. ODD is treatable with psychotherapy and parent management training.
Some studies have found that certain environmental factors in the family increase the risk of disruptive behaviour disorders. These include: poor parenting skills (inadequate supervision, harsh or inconsistent discipline, rejection) marital conflict.
Some children will grow out of oppositional defiant disorder, but others will continue to have behavior issues, which could lead to peer rejection and difficulty forming healthy relationships, not to mention continued family discord. They'll also be less likely to achieve their potential.
Some children with ODD will eventually outgrow the disorder. Symptoms may disappear as they age. However, as much as 30 percent of children with ODD eventually develop a conduct disorder.
Some children with ODD outgrow the condition by age eight or nine. But about half of them continue to experience symptoms of ODD through adulthood. People with ODD report feeling angry all of the time, and about 40 percent of them become progressively worse and develop antisocial personality disorder.
Children with ODD often do well with early treatment. In fact, the earlier the condition is managed, the better the prognosis. Many children are free of the behavioral patterns within three years of treatment. It was once believed that those affected by the condition would outgrow it by early adulthood.
When an angry feeling coincides with aggressive or hostile behavior, it also activates the amygdala, an almond–shaped part of the brain associated with emotions, particularly fear, anxiety, and anger.
Research examining the neurochemistry of ODD and CD has mainly focused on the neu- rotransmitter serotonin, which is often associated with aggression. Serotonin is involved in aversive processing and sensitivity to punishment.
Reminding yourself that challenging behavior and aggressive outbursts are normal symptoms of dementia helps you respond in a calm and supportive way. Always remember, it has nothing to do with you or your relationship with your loved one.
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