Hi there,
I am hoping for some help with some fresh ideas on how to manage a child with additional needs. I have sought information from websites but hoping for some practical strategies.
This child is 8 yrs old and has oppositional defiance disorder and sometimes become aggressive towards children and/or educators at our OOSH. The anger may come from a lego piece not fitting correctly or another child touching the lego box. He does not transition well, even with reminders and cues. The family is very supportive and collaborative. Are there any strategies or methods that you could recommend? I’ve heard there’s a strategy used called social stories, has anyone implemented these or could give more advice? Also, are there any links for families to seek support that you may know of?
Child with oppositional defiance disorder
Re: Child with oppositional defiance disorder
It's great that you're seeking practical strategies to support this child! Here are some ideas and methods that might help:
Strategies for Managing Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Set Clear Expectations: Use visual schedules, checklists, or video recordings to communicate daily expectations. This helps the child understand what is expected of them and reduces anxiety about transitions.
Positive Reinforcement: Focus on rewarding positive behaviors rather than punishing negative ones. This can include verbal praise, stickers, or small rewards for meeting expectations.
Social Stories: These are short, simple stories that describe social situations and appropriate responses. They can help the child understand and navigate social interactions.
Teach Social Skills: Explicitly teach skills like sharing, taking turns, and apologizing. Role-playing and practicing these skills in a controlled environment can be beneficial.
Emotion Regulation: Teach the child techniques for managing their emotions, such as deep breathing, counting to ten, or using a "feelings thermometer" to express their emotions.
Consistent Routines: Maintain consistent routines to provide a sense of stability and predictability.
Collaborate with Specialists: Work closely with speech therapists, occupational therapists, or behavioral specialists to develop tailored interventions.
Implementing Social Stories
Social stories are a powerful tool for helping children understand social situations and appropriate behaviors. Here's how to implement them:
Personalize: Tailor the stories to the child's individual needs, interests, and learning style.
Keep it Simple: Use clear, short sentences and a positive tone.
Focus on the Positive: Emphasize desired behaviors and strategies for success.
Use Visuals: Incorporate photos, drawings, or symbols to enhance understanding.
Support for Families
Families can benefit from various resources and support networks:
Professional Organizations: Organizations like the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) offer resources and examples of social stories.
Local Support Groups: Connect with local support groups for families of children with ODD or similar conditions.
Online Resources: Websites like the Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) provide self-guided learning packages and resources on inclusion and support.
Hope this helps!
,
Lorina
Strategies for Managing Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Set Clear Expectations: Use visual schedules, checklists, or video recordings to communicate daily expectations. This helps the child understand what is expected of them and reduces anxiety about transitions.
Positive Reinforcement: Focus on rewarding positive behaviors rather than punishing negative ones. This can include verbal praise, stickers, or small rewards for meeting expectations.
Social Stories: These are short, simple stories that describe social situations and appropriate responses. They can help the child understand and navigate social interactions.
Teach Social Skills: Explicitly teach skills like sharing, taking turns, and apologizing. Role-playing and practicing these skills in a controlled environment can be beneficial.
Emotion Regulation: Teach the child techniques for managing their emotions, such as deep breathing, counting to ten, or using a "feelings thermometer" to express their emotions.
Consistent Routines: Maintain consistent routines to provide a sense of stability and predictability.
Collaborate with Specialists: Work closely with speech therapists, occupational therapists, or behavioral specialists to develop tailored interventions.
Implementing Social Stories
Social stories are a powerful tool for helping children understand social situations and appropriate behaviors. Here's how to implement them:
Personalize: Tailor the stories to the child's individual needs, interests, and learning style.
Keep it Simple: Use clear, short sentences and a positive tone.
Focus on the Positive: Emphasize desired behaviors and strategies for success.
Use Visuals: Incorporate photos, drawings, or symbols to enhance understanding.
Support for Families
Families can benefit from various resources and support networks:
Professional Organizations: Organizations like the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) offer resources and examples of social stories.
Local Support Groups: Connect with local support groups for families of children with ODD or similar conditions.
Online Resources: Websites like the Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) provide self-guided learning packages and resources on inclusion and support.
Hope this helps!
,Lorina
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katebrownell86
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Re: Child with oppositional defiance disorder
Hey there,
It sounds like you’re doing an amazing job trying to find ways to support this little one! ODD and big emotions can definitely be tricky to navigate, especially in a group setting like OOSH.
Social stories can be super helpful! They break down situations in a simple, visual way to help kids understand expectations and outcomes. If you haven’t tried them yet, they’re worth a go—keep them short, clear, and positive. You could even involve the child in making them so they feel more engaged.
A few other things that might help:
Clear and consistent expectations – Keep instructions short and to the point. Visual schedules can work wonders.
Calm-down tools – A "break zone" with sensory items, breathing exercises, or fidget tools might help when frustration builds up.
Lego-specific strategies – If Lego is a big trigger, maybe having "personal Lego time" vs. "shared Lego time" could help ease transitions.
Prepping for transitions – Instead of just verbal cues, try using a timer or a transition object (like a soft toy that moves with them to the next activity).
Praise the positives – Catch him doing something well and reinforce it with encouragement!
It’s great that the family is supportive! If they’re open to it, they could look into local parenting support groups, behavior therapists, or online communities for additional strategies.
Hope some of this helps! Would love to hear what works for you.
It sounds like you’re doing an amazing job trying to find ways to support this little one! ODD and big emotions can definitely be tricky to navigate, especially in a group setting like OOSH.
Social stories can be super helpful! They break down situations in a simple, visual way to help kids understand expectations and outcomes. If you haven’t tried them yet, they’re worth a go—keep them short, clear, and positive. You could even involve the child in making them so they feel more engaged.
A few other things that might help:
Clear and consistent expectations – Keep instructions short and to the point. Visual schedules can work wonders.
Calm-down tools – A "break zone" with sensory items, breathing exercises, or fidget tools might help when frustration builds up.
Lego-specific strategies – If Lego is a big trigger, maybe having "personal Lego time" vs. "shared Lego time" could help ease transitions.
Prepping for transitions – Instead of just verbal cues, try using a timer or a transition object (like a soft toy that moves with them to the next activity).
Praise the positives – Catch him doing something well and reinforce it with encouragement!
It’s great that the family is supportive! If they’re open to it, they could look into local parenting support groups, behavior therapists, or online communities for additional strategies.
Hope some of this helps! Would love to hear what works for you.
