Answer Summary

Members shared experiences with OCD behaviors in children on the autism spectrum, with one member describing her daughter's progression from... Read more

Members shared experiences with OCD behaviors in children on the autism spectrum, with one member describing her daughter's progression from PDD-NOS at age five to an OCD diagnosis at eleven, and another member sharing her own journey with intrusive thoughts beginning at age nine that improved with medication for anxiety and ADHD. Several members offered practical strategies including giving children choices of calming activities like music or calling friends, recognizing that staying busy can reduce intrusive thoughts but may increase stress, and exploring medication options beyond those that caused zombie-like side effects, with Zoloft and Abilify mentioned as helpful. A recurring theme was the heartbreak parents feel watching their children struggle with compulsions like excessive handwashing and bathroom rituals, balanced with hope that upcoming therapy appointments and resources like the book Brain Lock could provide relief and better coping tools.