Tag Archives: Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Children

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on September 11, 2012 4:40 pm

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

                                                                                     ~ Mahatma Gandhi  

 

Children who act out in an oppositional manner, are frequently drawing upon an internal struggle to oppose or reject something in their lives.  Oppositional children are often blamed for their defiant behaviors, but are not always offered a listening ear, to hear why they are acting out in a disobedient and uncooperative way.

It is important to recognize that not all children who are acting out or behaving in an oppositional manner, should be diagnosed.  In fact, it is of extreme importance that children who act out in negative ways be given an opportunity to discuss the problems that plague their young lives.  Moreover, as a good clinician, we should be looking at the entire scope of the child’s life, including the psychosocial and economic perspective.  Unfortunately, in some egregious cases, children are reacting rather than simply acting out.  Therefore, as a clinician we must offer our best detective skills when looking at the life of a child. 

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Managing Disruptive Behaviors in the Classroom

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on March 13, 2012 9:49 am

The classroom is a rapidly shifting and volatile environment.   “It is essential to this learning environment that respect for the rights of others seeking to learn, respect for the professionalism of the instructor (teacher), and the general goals of academic freedom are maintained.  Occasionally, faculty members find that they can not provide effective classroom instruction because of disruptions.” (Butler University, 2012, Online)

When a child is disruptive in the classroom, this can cause other children to perform poorly, as well as, igniting other children to become agitated, emotionally distraught, and insecure in the safety of their classroom.  Unfortunately, disruptive behaviors act as a bong vibrating throughout the learning environment. 

Disruptive children may or may not recognize the repercussions of their behaviors, attitudes and perceptions. “Children who have habits of behaving in hostile and aggressive ways are almost universally disliked.  They are disliked by their peers, siblings, neighbors, teachers and not infrequently by their parents.” (Braman, p. 149, 1997)  Regrettably, disruptive children are often lost to their own negative behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions.  Leaving an impression upon the child that they are worthless, underserving, and alone.    “The habitually hostile child learns early that his (her) behaviors is not going to earn him (her) the love and affection he (she) so desperately wants.” (Braman, p.149, 1997)  Continue reading




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA