You’ve noticed your child engaging in certain repetitive behaviors. At first, you don’t think much of it. Every kid has their own unique habits, after all. But then, your child’s teacher sends home a note saying that your child couldn’t complete their math work because they kept counting and recounting the objects the teacher gave them to illustrate the problem. What should you do? 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a common condition. While usually associated with adults, children also experience it. If left untreated, it can interfere with their academic progress in many ways. 

This article explains what OCD is, how it shows up in children, and how it can affect children at school. It also outlines how a therapeutic school in New York City can help children with OCD succeed in spite of their diagnosis.  

What Is OCD?

OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are uncontrollable, unwanted, unpleasant, and recurring thoughts, ideas, or urges. Compulsions are repetitive and excessive behaviors. A person with OCD can experience obsessions, compulsions, or both. Some people with OCD engage in compulsions to help them with their obsessions. 

It’s important to clarify exactly how OCD differs from neurotypical behavior. Many, if not most, people experience distressing thoughts and urges from time to time. However, as the American Psychiatric Association notes, to be true OCD, dealing with the unwanted thoughts must take a considerable amount of time, cause significant emotional distress, or substantially interfere with a person’s daily activities. 

Experts believe that somewhere between one to three percent of American adults experience OCD. 

OCD in Children and Teens

OCD is common in children as well as adults. Like adults, roughly one to three percent of children have OCD. While this number may not sound impressive, it makes OCD one of the most common mental issues in children. 

OCD in children operates like adult OCD in many ways. However, some key differences can make it difficult for parents, teachers, and others to know that OCD is a possibility. 

• Awareness. An adult who checks their door lock 10 times before leaving home likely knows that this is not something that most people do. However, children don’t see their actions as abnormal or strange. It’s just the way that they do things. Because the child doesn’t see anything remarkable, they probably won’t mention it to an adult. 

• Interpretation and accommodation. Parents and caregivers may not see the child’s behaviors as obsessions. They may think, “He’s just rigid,” or “She’s just really organized and neat.” Until the child is old enough for the rituals to present a problem, the parents will likely ignore them. This doesn’t mean that the parents aren’t doing a good job. It just means that they aren’t expert pediatric psychologists who know what to look for. 

• Overlap. Many mental health issues appear in the same person at the same time. (Doctors call these comorbidities.) So, a person with OCD may also be dealing with another mental health issue, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Because many mental health issues have similar symptoms, a parent might think that their child’s actions are related to their other condition instead of OCD. 

• Visibility. Generally, children’s compulsions are visible, such as repeated handwashing or counting objects. Adult compulsions tend to be more internal. However, some children engage in “magical thinking” compulsions where they believe that certain repeated thoughts will prevent harm. 

These factors make OCD one of the most challenging disorders for parents to notice from the outset. Some warning signs that concerned parents should consider include: 

• Redoing actions until they are “just right”
• Working slowly on tasks such as writing or reading due to repeatedly checking the work, re-writing, or re-reading
• A newly acquired fear of germs or contamination
• Avoiding certain objects or foods
• Excessively long bathing, handwashing, or bedtime routines
• Experiencing meltdowns, outbursts, or other disproportionate reactions when plans or routines suddenly change 
• Doing things a specific number of times 

How OCD Shows Up in the Classroom

OCD can affect students in many ways. First, the intrusive thoughts that characterize OCD can cause concentration issues. Also, children with OCD may turn in their work late. This may not make sense to parents or teachers, but the student doesn’t want to turn in the work until they have re-written, re-read, and re-checked every possible thing. Other symptoms of OCD in the classroom include: 

• Making frequent bathroom requests (usually to indulge hand-washing and other hygiene compulsions) 
• Repeatedly checking backpacks, desks, lockers, or supplies 
• Excessive erasing 
• Difficulty moving between tasks
• Asking for repeated assurance that their work is done perfectly or that nothing bad will happen 
• Always arranging their supplies in a very specific way 
• Difficulty completing timed tasks or tests 

If you or your child’s teacher sees these or similar behaviors on a regular basis, talk to your pediatrician as soon as possible.

How Therapeutic Schools Can Help Children with OCD

Therapeutic schools can help children with OCD in many ways. Children with OCD typically need therapy to help them deal with their obsessions and compulsions. Traditional schools simply don’t have the ability to provide this help on a regular basis. However, therapeutic schools have trained counselors on staff who can provide therapy during the school day. These staffers can help children learn to manage their OCD. Additionally, the teachers at therapeutic schools know how to redirect students with OCD so they can get back to school tasks. 

Also, while society has come a long way in its view of mental illness, there is still a stigma attached to OCD. As such, children in traditional schools may feel like outcasts. However, at a therapeutic school, mental health issues and differences are normalized. Also, the culture at a therapeutic school emphasizes belonging. As such, students with OCD will be less anxious and more likely to be themselves. 

Academics West Supports Students with OCD

OCD can make school more challenging for even the brightest students. If your child needs more support than their traditional school can offer, you might consider a therapeutic school. If you are looking for a therapeutic school in New York City, consider Academics West. Our school is designed to support students and their families in every way during their academic journey. Call 212-580-0080 or use our booking tool to schedule an in-person visit on the Upper West Side. In the meantime, check out our virtual tour.