Expert: Paul Johnson - 2/9/2011

Question
I am working with a 7 year old child who has been diagnosed with Autism and ODD. What is the likelihood of a child having this co -occurence? Also where would i go to get more information about treating the co-occurence of Autism and ODD?

Answer
Hey Jennifer,

This question sure has put a smile on my face.
Not because I am laughing at you or find your question silly, it's just that I have never ever met an Aspie who is willing to accept what they are told and be compliant. We are all defiant. It goes part and parcel with our basic make-up. As such it is kind of dis ingenuous to give a child with AS a co-occurence of ODD.

To further make my point. The life we live is one of massive misunderstanding, if one feels nobody gets them they will eventually resist the instruction that is given them because they feel it was meant for another person that fits the misinterpretation. So the child begins to act out because it behaviorally demonstrates their protest to being called something they are not. A child can not tell an adult that they are wrong in how they are being perceived, nut resisting instruction gets the point across that they are unhappy with how they are being seen.

To best alleviate the defiance, the person in authority has to creatively redefine the label of AS into something fun and socially acceptable, then the child will attempt to fit the label and try to impress with compliance.