OCD in a 6 year old?

Question

My daughters teacher has concerns for her. First off she is in her second year of kindergarten and her teacher has said that my daughter hasn't really learned much of anything,like she is still in first year. My daughter does has a very repetitive nature in her. She can place a blanket a few dozen times on the floor until she feels it is done,although the first time is was done perfect. She cuts paper into the tiniest pieces and does this until it can't be done anymore. She has no sense of time,doesn't take visual cues that you are mad at her,she will shut down if you do get angry at her.

Lately it has gotten worse,here is an example. She said to me"Do you think I can have an apple" I said "yes you can have an apple" she replied "yes that's right,I can have an apple"

The teacher has even noticed that she will sit somewhere in the class and repeat an answer or question over and over again. The teacher said she has autisitc children in her class and has never seen anything like.

Answer 1

I have OCD and so does my 4 yeard old beileve it or not.  First I see nothing wrong with the whole apple conversation, it seems normal for a 6 year old.

The other behaviors are not that of OCD, the blanket issue may sound like it but I think it could just be a habit of perfectionism.

The no sense of time, doesn't realize someone is upset w/ her, still at a K-1 level and shutting down has nothing to do with OCD.  I am not a doc so I don't want to guess as to what it is, but I can tell you with a bit of certainty it's not OCD.

I would take her to her pediatricain and have her evaluated.  Good luck.

Answer 2

If the teacher is concerned, you should have your child evaluated - both by the school system and by your own pediatrician.  If your child has a learning disorder or is OCD or mildly autistic you need to know so you can address the best way to teach her and help her progress.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I dont know if it is something younger children have - but it sounds like it may be worth researching 'asperger syndrome'.

Here is a few symptoms - if your daughter is showing these then browse the websites below - and/or google asperger syndrome for more help.

SYMPTOMS

So how can I tell if a person has Asperger syndrome?

Socio-communicative difficulties

  being a loner

  being active but odd

  being aloof or passive

  poor or exaggerated eye contact

  solemn/serious expression

  lack of empathy

  naivety

  difficulty with group work in a classroom or in team sports     like football

  children with AS respond better to adults than to their peer group

  unable to initiate small talk but try getting them to stop talking about their special interest

Language difficulties

  speech may be delayed

  literal understanding of language

  idiosyncratic language

Rigidity of thought

  a love of routine with extreme distress if it changes

  unusual play patterns e.g. lining toys up or taking them apart

  tendency to read factual rather than fiction books

  obsessional interests

Common Obsessions

  pylons

  maps

  gadgets

  train spotting

  or any factual subject which they can immerse themselves in.

Gross Motor Movements

  clumsy

  poor co-ordination e.g. catching a ball or being accident prone

  flapping movements or nervous tics

  may walk with a lumbering stooped gait

Other Asperger syndrome Traits

  higher than normal anxiety levels

  more interest in things rather than people

  hyper or hypo sensitivity to temperature/noise/smell/touch

  independent or creative thinker

Answer 4

I've actually had a little experience with OCD. A child in the Kids Club i worked at was 6 years old. He was a pleasure to be around especially when it was time to close and all the toys and to be in the proper place.

We would send him to the play kitchen and he would make everything sparkly perfect. Every piece of 100 foods in a proper location.

He could spend hour building with blocks and putting them back exactly where they came from, (Most kids just threw them back on the shelves)  

He was also great at puzzles and other fine motor skills.

He would become frustrated if he could not complete a "task" completely. We tried to allow time for him to complete his task or he would throw fits.

I only had him for a semester, so not sure what he was diagnosed with but, I always thought OCD. I had just happen to be taken abnormal psyc and children's development classes.

I would take your daughter to be evaluated by a professional. Your doctor can give you a referral. I believe there is a medicine she can take to help control it.

With the repeating of words that sounds slightly autistic.

good luck to you and your precious little girl.

Answer 5

Ive heard repetitive behaviour is related to autisim. There are many types though.

Get her assesed.

good luck xx

Answer 6

Sounds more like it could be some form of autism than OCD. The lack of reading the visual clues is a big autism thing - if she is having problems socially - lack of eye contact, etc. or if you have noticed that she is regressing in any way - socially, mentally - I'd have her tested for autism.

Answer 7

Well I would have a phsycologist examine her.  She has a few of the traits my son is battling with his high functioning autism.  However it sounds like his problems are a little more severe.  That teacher of hers apparantly doesn't know what she is talking about.  One of the biggest problems as an autistic child gets older is OCD.  My son repeats all the time and he is so worried about what is going on everywhere else that it has made it hard for him to concentrate.  If the psycologist will give you a recommendation the school will give her pull out one on one with a therapist to help her get past it.  Or he will refer you to a physiciatrist who will help you with all your options.  Good Luck.

Answer 8

I'd take her to her ped. and ask the doc what they think. You can also have your teacher fill out forms that check to see what kind of behaviors she is observing. Many of these will have a form for you to fill out at home too. While these can give you a clue as to what shes doing its best to let a doctor give what they think is going on. It could be many things developemental delays, a medical condition, or a need for a more structured and invidualized learning program. Good Luck in you search!

Answer 9

my son will start kindergarten in the fall and he acts a little like what you are describing.  I am taking him to see a behavioral specialist because the Doctor was telling me he seems as though he has a very mild case of autism...i never knew there were mild cases but i guess there are. has your daughter ever had an M.R.I done..they did one on my son to check his sinuses because sometimes you can get sinus pressure in the brain and it causes younger children to act out, from what i was told..well best of luck , i hope everything works out..

it does sound like she could have ocd