Amanda~
Your son doesn't sound OCD to me. It sounds like he has a sensory processing disorder. Some kids can not handle certain textures, tight clothes including socks and shoes, noise, smells and the list goes on. You can look up Sensory Integration Disorders online for more information on the problem and possible solutions. My son sees an occupational therapist every week to work on his issues and he is only 2.5.
Prayers~
Traci
I have 4 daughters. My oldest is 20 and my youngest is 8. My youngest has been the most challenging by far. My recommendation would be to read a book about "Spitited" children. My youngest daughter sounds a lot like your son. My mother-in-law, God love her, was almost always offering something to me about kids with ADD and ADHD.I didn't and still don't believe my daughter has either but she was convinced my daughter had one or the other. Anyway, I found the book Raising Your Spirited Child to be very helpful because their were some things I just didn't understand. My daughter, like your son, fought with me about clothes and such, things that just didn't "feel right". Basically, you need to pick your battles and know that there isn't anything wrong with the clothes that "tickle" and shoes(or socks) not fitting just right. They're just more sensitive. Be patient and don't sweat the small stuff. Understand that sometimes at they're age they may not be able to express exactly what they're thinking or what they want. But, listen to what they're saying and respect it. There's nosense fighting a losing battle. Realize they know what they want and don't. Good Luck. It will work out in the end!! After reading some of the other respnses, I agree. They all sound more like what we've experienced with our daughter. Sensitive to her socks, tags on the inside of shirts, shirts that "itch" due to various different reasons. Your son doesn't sound OCD, he sounds like he's "over" sensitive. I use this term loosely. We would argue with my youngest about things that I thought were "silly" until I recognized to her they weren't. One of the things that stand out the most to me regarding my daughter was when she was younger, loud noises, etc.. made her VERY upset. If we took her to dinner at a very noisey restaraunt, etc.. she would be overstimulated and act out completely...crawling under the table, etc.. As she's gotten older, she's gotten better and a lot more tolerant of things out of her control. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
My son started exhibiting those same types of behavior at that age. He would only wear certain types of underwear, shirts and pants. He would cry everyday before school if I tried to make him wear something that he felt uncomfortable with. At the time, I just thought he was picky. Flash forward to the present, he is a second grader and at the start of the school year, we were called in for a conference. he was not paying attention and not concentrating, because he would fiddle with his tags, etc. that were bothering him.. we found out that he has some sensory processing problems as well as a slight auditory processing problem. Ask many questions! We are lucky that his cases are very mild, and he is in therapy now through the school. Had we gotten help sooner, it would have saved many tears, his and mine. Good luck
I totally agree with the moms, that does not sound like OCD. It definitely sounds like sensory processing disorder. My 2 yr old has the same thing. I would recommend having your pediatrician send him for OT(occupational therapy) eval. They will be able to set up a plan and help you with all of these issues. My son has improved dramatically since starting therapy. Good luck, I know it's hard.
Hi, I am new to this site and I just read your post. First of all I am a child therapist and the information you give does not tell me that your child has OCD. Either you left some things out or you need to look at something else. I would advise that you read a book called the Out of Sync Child. This book is about Sensory Integration Disorder. Some Occupational Therapists who work with children can assess for this. My own child who is seven has the same clothing issues that you describe. It can be frustrating. The severity of these issues can vary. The Occupational Therapist that I work with does not really think my daughter's problem is severe enough to treat. I have found that she does much better with this problem when I cleared her diet of all red and yellow food dyes. I also feel inside socks each time I am in a store. I am in the endless search for the perfect socks! I found some she would wear and I bought the next size too! She had worn the same socks for three years because I could not find any more she liked. I have her try on all clothes in the store before I buy it and cut out most tags. There is a therapy technique called the Wilbarger Protocol with joint compression. It is something the Occupational Therapists can do and teach you to do at home too. This is the technique that the OT I know said could help my daughter. This is before I realized the dye connection and she has been much better in recent months.
Good Luck, Ann
Hi Amanda,
Have you ever thought of your son being "gifted?" Gifted children have a lot of these tendencies. I highly suggest having his IQ tested prior to putting him on any medicines. I have a family of "gifted" kids, some of whom you wouldn't think were. If you read a book entitled, "Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Adults and Children" these children are often misdiagnosed with OCD, etc. My first daughter was diagnosed with OCD and they wanted to put her on medicines, but being in the medical profession, I wanted nothing of the sort. We worked on behavioral modification. A couselor at school asked me to read that book....it was my daughter to a tee. She now attends a school for "gifted" kids and is 300% better. She went from a depressed/sullen little girl to a happy young lady. Kids don't always have to be "book" smart to be gifted. You may not notice it in your son, but it is definitely worth a try before doing anything with medicines. My kids have sensory issues as well, everything itches, the tags are terrible, socks and tights (forget it)! Everyone in my daughter's school has this problem. If you want to talk further, please feel free to give me a call at 317-574-1193.
Gina
Sounds exactly like my Nicholas, who was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder 5 years ago when he was 4. All the advice on OT, sensory diet, etc. were given so I won't repeat them. Just wanted to direct you to www.kidfoundation.org, the website for Dr. Lucy Miller's organization on sensory processing. She's one of the leading researchers into spd, and amazing to listen to in conference. Good luck!
OH my goodness...just thought I'd check out the internet just to see if there was a possibility that my 3 year old could really have this disorder. I am at my breaking point as well with similar issues. You tell friends and even the doctor and the classify it as normal 3 year old tantrums and behaivor...but it is soooooooo much more. The stories I could tell you. It has completely interrupted our lives and my 4 year old is the one that is being hurt by it all due to lack of my attention. The hours I spend a day on her rituals are scoffed at by people near me because they think it is lack of discipline...however I KNOW In my heart that failure to follow her "RITUALS" truly panicks, terrifies and disturbs my 3year old. Just responding to see if youve found any useful advice? My sister who is a psychiatrist says that at her age behaivor modification is going to be the only useful tool.. I know medication isnt an option but IM pretty close to wishing I could medicate her some days...JUST KIDDING
Yes....I have a 9 year old daughter that has the same issues and more. I'm now in the process of trying to find the right help. It has been a long process and hopefully I will find someone to help me. Wish I could give you the answers you need right now, but I can't. Just wanted you to know you are not alone and you just have to keep on fighting for the right help for your child. Pls. keep me posted and I will do the same for you. My e-mail address is ([email protected]) and my name is Dawn. Would love to hear from you. (Put in regard section on e-mail....OCD)
My daughter is the same way started with clothes and panties and socks at the age 2 she is still having this problem at the age 7 and she has been to many therapies for someone just now tell us it’s ocd. It’s miserable to have a child with that problem. She still gets worse over clothes each year is worse. Let me know if you found help
Thank you to all of you who have helped with advice. I now have alittle more hope!! I understand that this is not his fault…but…boy…it is a daily battle I wish we didn’t have to have. Thanks again…I appreciate it!!