OCD

What Is OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, more commonly known as OCD, is a disorder that causes people to have reoccurring, unwanted thoughts, sensations, or ideas. People with OCD get rid of these thoughts by cleaning, washing, counting, or checking on things. Unfortunately, this can interfere with their daily and social life.

What Problems will Students with OCD Face?

OCD can make it harder for students to pay attention in class or do schoolwork since kids with OCD have a difficult time concentrating.  They might ask the same question over and over again, and reorganize their backpack or locker multiple times. They might tap something a specific number of times, and skip questions on tests and homework because of their fear or certain numbers.

What can Teachers do?

1. You can give students with OCD more time to finish tests and schoolwork.

2. Many times students with OCD will redo or re-write assignments. Instead of having them write, let them use computers so they can type instead.

3. Many students with OCD will take a long time reading books, because they want to read it perfectly, and will keep re-reading until they do it perfectly. You can let students with OCD listen to audio books.

4. Let kids with OCD skip reading to the class, because they might repeat sentences and paragraphs if they make a mistake.

5. Breaking homework into chunks can help students with OCD. They might feel overwhelmed if they see a whole page filled with questions. If you split that page into four different pages, they will feel less overwhelmed.
   
   

6. Give students with OCD prepared notes, since they might 

What can Parents do?

1. When you and your child are talking about OCD, give it another name. You can have your child say, “______ wants me to wash my hands again.”

2. Help your kid follow these 5 ways to rebel against OCD.

• Delay the urge by 5, 10, 20 minutes.

• Do it slowly, like you are doing it in slow-mo. You can also do this as fast as you can, like you are doing it in time-lapse.

• Limit the amount of times you do it each day.

• Don’t do it at all(this may be hard, so this is the fourth step).

• Do the opposite of what the OCD tells you(this is the hardest, so it is last).

3. The International OCD Foundation:

For parents and families

For kids with OCD(includes camps, events. etc.)

4. Treatment