do meds help with oppositional behavior?? | ADHD Information

my son developed ODD while we were figuring out his ADHD dx. It was horrible until we started meds. Concerta and tenex worked wonders for the defiant behavior - at least for our son. BUT you must stick to behavior modification as well AT ALL TIMES. Consquences and rewards also help wonders with behavior BUT you have to stick with it. DON'T let them get away with any unacceptable behavior. They will eventually realize what is right and what is wrong but it can take a while.  For my daughter, getting her ADHD under control (with medication) greatly helped with the ODD behaviors.    I also agree with the above poster - a consistent behavior modification play is also key. Can we be a bit careful parents?

Acting defiant doesn't necessarily mean ODD. ODD is pretty serious stuff since it is a permanently entrenched personality disorder. It is not fixable. Ever. Medication can calm the child's tantrums--that's ALL it can do--the opposition will remain. Such a child requires different treatment than a child who is "difficult" for other reasons.

There's difference forms of non-compliance. An ADHD kid isn't compliant because their brains are spinning and when you tell them, "We'll I've said it six times already!" they honestly didn't notice 6x. Then when you get angry and frustrated they're angry because they have NO IDEA what you are 'on about' as the Brits say. Or they cry when you yell because they really do NOT comprehend what you want. And they really did 'forget'

And sometimes, with any kid...it's a plain-old fashioned power struggle. Many of these are avoidable if you don't play

Remember--you're the smart one. No matter what the kid thinks

I'm just about to throw in the towel and start my 5 year old daughter on meds.  In addition to having been diagnosed with ADHD, she is often quite oppositional.  Do meds help with this type of (very frustrating) behavior?

Thanks!

Joan