Another day, another class

We spent last night going through sections of our DSM book which lists all the different diagnosis people can have. I was fortunate enough to have to study and explain Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD. This is one diagnosis I have a problem with (no, I'm not ODD). Some kids find that being defiant and rude gets them what they want, so they continue it and then are labeled ODD when in fact they are just brats. Now, there are some kids who are ODD, but some are just trying to get away with what they can so they get what they want. Okay....I need to stop with this, I'm getting a bit flustered and that's not counselor-like behavior. ....Well, all this to say, that as counselors, we need to be careful when diagnosing anyone, especially children, because that "label" follows them wherever they go.!