Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children With Intellectual Disabilities

Psychopathology: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Conditions Present in Early Childhood

“…Emerson and Hatton (2007) found a prevalence rate of 11.1 % for children with ID; in contrast, they cited an ODD prevalence of 2.3 % for children with typical development. Subsequent studies have also found considerably higher rates of ODD for children with ID, with prevalences ranging from 34 to 45 % between ages 5 and 9 (Christensen et al 2013). This is in contrast to rates of 20-28 % for typi-cally developing children.…”

“…However, one study by Christensen et al (2013) found no differences between typically developing children and those with ID in terms of the gender distribution, age of onset, and stability of ODD over time. The results of this study are described in further detail below.…”

“…Similarly, the DSM-5 describes gender differences in ODD prior to adolescence (with slightly more boys than girls meeting criteria for the disorder; ratio of 1.4:1), but reports no gender difference in prevalence rates during adolescence (APA 2013). In this vein, recent research finds no gender differences in the prevalence of ODD for children with ID, and the gender distribution of ODD does not differ based on disability status (ID vs. TD; Christensen et al 2013).…”

“…The notably higher rates described more recently may reflect differences in the methodology used by the researchers, including the use of maternal-report measures only. Likewise, the study by Christensen et al (2013) examined a younger sample (point prevalences of ages 5 through 9), while earlier studies included youth in ages 5-16. Regardless, differences in prevalence between youth with ID and those with typical development remain consistent across studies, and researchers find that children with ID meet criteria for ODD at 2-5 times the rate of typically developing children.…”

“…The DSM-5 states that the first symptoms of ODD are often apparent during the preschool years, and typically no later than early adolescence. Christensen et al (2013) examined the age of onset of ODD for children with and without ID. The authors categorized children as "early" or "late" onset, with children first meeting criteria for ODD at age 5 or 6 labeled as "early onset" and those first meeting criteria for ODD at age 7 or later as "late onset."…”