Parenting and Disciplining A Child With OCD

What is most helpful for the parent is understanding what is triggering the child’s disruptive thoughts and behaviors. Once a parent understands that a child is not “willfully” being defiant, avoiding homework or demanding to do certain things, they can respond with compassion and support. It is helpful to explain to the child the difference between “them” doing or thinking something vs their “brain” doing it to them. 

Disciplining a child with OCD typically only makes the situation worse. This is because it is a brain neurotransmitter issue, not a behavioral issue. Education of what is causing the OCD and implementing treatment for it to help the brain be able to self regulate is the answer.

Compassion and coming alongside the child to empathize how hard it is for them when their brain is making them think thoughts over and over or feel the compulsion to do something over and over is most helpful. After your child understands that you “get it” then help your child transition to doing something they enjoy doing to help break up the thoughts or compulsion.