Curriculum considerations for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Creative arts
Some students with ODD might have creative strengths. They may be very motivated and interested in the arts. It may be a great place to encourage positive behaviour, friendships, and self-esteem.
The arts curriculum can be a place for students with ODD to learn listening and sharing skills, and talk about emotions (for example, “How did that sound make you feel?”)
Some students may be more distracted or demonstrate behaviours of concern in classrooms outside of their typical learning space. Strategies that could help include having a clear schedule.
English
Some students may find reading and writing challenging. This may lead to frustration and low self-esteem.
Refer to information about specific learning difficulty to come up with differentiated reading or writing learning intentions for the student.
If students are disturbing the class, it is possible they are finding a task difficult. This is a good opportunity to learn what the student finds hard, and to build their problem solving skills.
Mathematics
Students with ODD can find mathematics challenging if they struggle to focus or problem solve. This can lead to frustration and low self-esteem.
Consider tailoring your approach to a student’s strengths. Refer to information about specific learning difficulty to come up with mathematics strategies for the student.
Personal development, health and physical education
Physical education classes contain many new distractions for students with ODD such as balls, bats, and racquets.
Consider choosing teams for students so that students with ODD are not left out.
Physical education classes can be a good way for students with ODD to let out some energy.
Human society and environment
Students with ODD might find reading and writing challenging. Consider tailoring your approach to include activities that do not involve a lot of reading and writing.
Languages
Language classes might have challenging problems to solve, and a lot of reading and writing, all of which can be challenging for students with ODD. Consider tailoring your approach to a student’s strengths.
Science
Science classes might have challenging problems to solve, and a lot of reading and writing, all of which can be challenging for students with ODD. Consider tailoring your approach to a student’s strengths.
Technologies
Students with ODD might be easily distracted by computers and touch devices, especially if they do not use them regularly.