Continued from part 1.

I'm writing about a great article I found in the International Adoption Articles Directory, called "Oppositional Defiant Disorders," that talks about the difference between ODD and attachment disorders, although many of the behaviors overlap.

What is most interesting about the article, however, is that Dr. Art explains the similarity between ODD and attachment problems:

It is very important to distinguish ODD from similar behaviors that are seen among children with attachment difficulties, attachment disorder, and reactive attachment disorder (RAD). This distinction is critical since effective methods of treatment for ODD are ineffective with children exhibiting similar behaviors who have disorders of attachment.

So, what are some of the major distinctions between how ODD behavior develops and similar behaviors exhibited by attachment disordered children? Most frequently, a combination of factors contributes to the development of ODD. All children want attention. Sometimes, through simple reinforcement, children learn to misbehave as a way of getting their parent's attention. As this behavior continues, the parents may even begin to ignore positive behavior, taking the approach of, "let sleeping dogs lie." When the child desires attention, the child misbehaves and the parent attends to the child. A cycle begins in which the child's oppositional behavior becomes self-reinforcing as a method of getting the parent's attention. Peter’s parent’s asked me, “Why does he act the way he does? He spends more time avoiding doing what we ask him to do than it would take to do it!” I explained that every minute that Peter is able to argue and avoid doing an undesirable task is an additional minute that he continues to do what he enjoys, such as watching TV or not going to bed. Avoiding an undesirable activity is reinforcing.

On the other hand, children with attachment disorders exhibit oppositional behaviors because of very strong needs to be in control. This strong need to be in control is based on a fundamental lack of trust. Usually, because of significant difficulties during the first year or two of life, these children do not develop a sense of basic trust. As a result, these children experience requests by their parents as demands which must be fought. The result of the child’s fundamental lack of trust, is oppositional behavior and an unwilling to follow directives.

Wow. Very powerful information, I think, especially for those of us with adopted children.

Go to part 3.