Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a kind of disease due to which the kids suffer from unwanted thoughts, feelings, and fears. Unfortunately, around five to six million children in America have this disorder which is almost 2-3 percent of their population. Due to this disorder kids feels anxious and fear for any unknown reasons. Though the exact reason for this disease is still not known, scientists say that due to genetic factors this disease happens to children. This disease may cause in kids even without a family history as well. Apart from that, there may be some kind of differences in the brain structures as well as in the brain activity in the kid suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. No matter whatever may be the cause of the disease it is for sure that neither the child nor their parents have any fault on it.

What types of behavior are observed in kids having obsessive-compulsive disorder?

The teachers of Child Care Whittier CA observe several behavioral issues in the kids who are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. For example, some kids have an excessive obsession with dirt whereas some have repeated doubts in their minds and they use to check again and again whether the door is locked or not. Some kids are also found to spent time for long hours touching things, counting, thinking about numbers and sequences. Compulsive behaviors are also seen in such kids and they can be very excessive, disruptive, and time-consuming and may interfere with daily activities and relations. For example, such kids are sometimes found to repeatedly wash their hands, often 100 or more times a day, follow firm rules such as putting clothes in the same order every day, repeat any particular word again and again, etc. Moreover, they also have aggressive thoughts, urges, and behaviors. Such kind of children also worries too much about something bad occurring. In severe cases, such kids can cause harm to themselves or may hurt or kill someone. Hence, it is very essential to handle such kids very carefully.

How a parent or child caretaker should handle the kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a better way?

Parents or child caretakers can help children with obsessive-compulsive disorder by understanding the disease, finding the right therapies that can provide accurate treatment, and learning how to recognize and respond to the symptoms of the disease. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is considered to be the first line of treatment for such disease. But, apart from medication and therapy, a kid with obsessive-compulsive disorder needs immense supports from their parents, family members, and caretakers to deal with the symptoms of this disease. According to the teachers of Child Care Whittier CA, the parents or child caretaker should talk to the child with obsessive-compulsive disorder about their disorder and help them to change their obsessive and compulsive behavior gradually. The parents, child caretaker, and the whole family should stand behind the child and give them moral support apart from providing them the necessary medication and therapy.