Battling OCD Loops

The best advice I ever got about OCD came from a developmental pediatrician with decades of experience.

*STOP- take a deep breath and calm your voice and body

*ENGAGE THE CHILD IN THEIR LOOP- Get down on their eye level and get into their bubble.

*ENGAGE IN THE LOOP IF POSSIBLE- therefore validating you understand the importance THEY put on the loop.

*FOLLOW YOUR CHILD THROUGH THE LOOP (IF POSSIBLE) AND SHOW THEM HOW TO EXIT OUT OF IT

*THIS SERIES OF STEPS MAY HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN AND AGAIN- You are not fighting an unwinnable battle! Sometimes it’s just a long battle

**Please note there are children and adults that need intensive help for their OCD. I have some first had education with a highly recommended OCD clinic. The results are outstanding. The professionals were caring and highly educated. Get help if your child is hurting themselves or lost in endless loops that are impairing life and learning.**

Try very hard to be as neutral but pleasant about the situation, even if this is the hundredth time you have had to do it. You are fighting chemicals and behavioral patterns. Persistance will work! I have seen it work with my child and with several children I am blessed to see on a regular basis.

Let me give you an example:

One of my daughter’s with autism would loop when we went out to eat at Bob Evans. The hostess stand had bright white lettering that were indented. Every time we went she would stand there and loop again and again outlining the letters with her finger. She would not move for others to step forward. While she was there looping she would be unresponsive or go into a meltdown if forced to leave her loop.

I took the developmental pediatrician’s advice and did the steps from above. I got down on her level and engaged her in her looping with the letters. I followed her finger with my own until we finished on whole outline. Then gently held her hand. She was aware and looked at me. I encouraged her to come and sit with the family and gave her a coloring page to distract her from returning to her looping. It worked!

Now that was not the last time I had to do that. I still occasionally have to help her end the OCD looping years later but we are MUCH better!

Good luck my patient friends. YOU CAN DO THIS!