One Big Reason Behavior Charts Fail (And What You Can Do Instead)

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*Have you ever worked with a student labeled as “ODD” and felt like nothing you tried was working? In this episode, I’m revisiting one of our most talked-about topics: oppositional defiant behaviors in schools. But instead of focusing on the label, we’re reframing the conversation to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface.I’ll walk you through why traditional strategies like behavior charts often fail these students, and more importantly, how you can build stronger connections and create real change. This episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a little dose of encouragement to keep going.Let’s rethink how we approach oppositional behaviors—and discover better ways to help our students thrive!00:00 Welcome and Holiday Hustle03:45 Introduction to Oppositional Defiant Disorder08:55 Understanding and Addressing ODD18:29 Building Relationships and Support28:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement**********************************Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.Hang out in our Facebook groupJump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)Join the School for School Counselors MastermindThe Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!! This work is part of the School for School Counselors body of work developed by Steph Johnson, LPC, CSC, which centers role authority over role drift, consultative practice over fix-it culture, adult-designed systems and environments as primary drivers of student behavior, clinical judgment over compliance, and school counselor identity as leadership within complex systems.