Smarter Parenting Blog

Helping the ODD child make positive decisions
Children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are constantly making decisions throughout the day, which is why it is important to have ODD parenting strategies that teaches an effective way to make positive decisions. The prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for making decisions, is also not fully developed in children and adolescents which limits their ability to think through options and causes them to act more impulsively. […]

6 things to know about ODD in children
Parents have a difficult time watching their children struggle. ODD is one of the many disorders that afflict children and their families. If you believe your defiant child may have ODD here are 6 things you need to know about this disorder.
1. ODD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a behavioral disorder
It is characterized by an ongoing pattern of hostile behavior beginning in childhood or adolescence. ODD is included in the group of disruptive behavioral disorders including ADHD and Conduct Disorder. […]

Improve family relationships by setting family goals
Another year is here with so many opportunities for family growth as families that set goals together tend to be successful. Your family’s success is the most important goal you can set if you think deeply about it. Each family is different, so if you decide to make new family goals, take into consideration needs of the family members. We share our suggestions for making that will bring harmony, joy, strength, and memories.
Set Up A Meeting
Have a goal setting gathering with your loved ones. […]

Behavior management strategies for children with ODD
Children who have been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) exhibit both emotional and behavioral symptoms. ODD children are prone to losing their temper and become angry and irritable easily. They continually challenge authority figures through arguing, refusing to comply with requests and openly defying rules. Children with ODD also blame others for their misbehavior and can be vindictive. ODD is usually diagnosed by age 8, but children can exhibit symptoms as early as preschool. […]

What are good parenting skills? Why parent need behavior skills
What are good parenting skills, and what is so exceptional about behavior skills specifically? These are questions that every parent asks. Even the “experts” in childhood development continually come back to these questions to find the best solution for children. For parents, these questions usually arise when a child is behaving negatively and a parent is seeking help to improve their child’s behavior or to avoid the thought that, “I feel like a failure”. […]

Using words to describe behavior to help autistic child
The skill of Observe and Describe is a simple, clear way to describe behavior your child is doing, whether positive or negative. The skill helps to avoid escalation, labeling your child (lousy, good), or asking aimless questions (what were you thinking?) that do not help your child learn what they are doing right or wrong. Autistic children especially have a difficult time understanding what is not explicitly stated and interpreting phrases that have ambiguous meanings such as, idioms or metaphors. […]

Oppositional defiant disorder parenting and preventing behavior problems
Oppositional Defiant Disorder parenting is not vastly different than parenting a child without this disorder, however, there are specific differences to be aware of because of the large behavioral problems that ODD children struggle with. Children diagnosed with ODD are regularly angry with large temper tantrums, display argumentative and defiant behavior, and are often spiteful and vindictive. […]

Using Effective Communication methods to parent your RAD child
Children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) are often resistant to expressing their emotions and strive to be independent of others, which is why communication can be especially difficult with a RAD child. Due to their attachment difficulties, establishing effective communication methods with your child becomes even more important because it gives specific guidelines and boundaries to follow so they know what to expect. Predictable communication patterns and expectations of how to communicate appropriately will set your RAD child up for success when they do express themselves. […]