I just came across this thread, as i was going to post about all the probs we are having with our 7 (almost 8) year old!! Sounds IDENTICAL!!! I even googled ODD and the stuff they were saying that it can progress into CD - my son has already displayed
those symptoms for the last two years!
He is VERY argumentative, blames everyone else for his actions (and anything that goes wrong), he lies BLATANTLY LIES to my face (and DP's), he steals - it started off with lollies etc from the cupboard, so we put a lock on the door which he broke, now it has progressed to stealing his sister's nintendo
DS and taking it to school ... and when we talk to him and ask why he does this he says cause he doesn't like himself (low self esteem).
It's like he doesn't care about anything - school rules, house rules ... I originally thought it was to do with his age and something that he would grow out of ... he was showing signs of being bored at school (he was at an independent school similar to Steiner and they were holding him back academically "to keep everyone together as a group" so they said) so we changed schools where he was challenged more and became less disruptive (in hindsight, more secretive and devious). He doesn't appear to struggle with school work (I talk to his teacher a fair bit in regards to this) In fact he is one of the brightest in his class.
But he just has no regard or respect for anyone or anything and he just seems to be getting worse. I am at my wits end cause banning him from things doesn't work, taking things away doesn't work, punishing him doesn't work, giving him extra chores, or time limits for his chore doesn't work. We have tried EVERYTHING. Everyone else in the house suffers because we can't have treats in the house anymore and it's getting to the point where we can't have games/toys either!
DP and I agree on our parenting style and never undermine each other (although
DS tries to play us against each other
)
I have been considering counselling for a while and keep suggesting it to DP, maybe we'll try getting a referral to a psychologist through our ECHN ...
Can I just say it's a relief to know it's not just me (well us) and that it's not something specific that I have or haven't done!