Child Showing compulsive behaviors

[missymay]

Recently My two year old child had been the topic of concern at her daycare. They would like her to be diagnosed or monitered by a professinal. She shows signs of obsessive behaviors and my question is, are these
actions age appropriate or are these valid concerns. Some examples are, she needs things to all be
a certain way when she go's to bed, her door has to be shut, she needs her slippers on, her fishy blanket,
her pillow in the perfect place...when these things are moved or altered she gets very upset, when she
has her diaper changed she has to be standing up not sitting or laying down, same when she gets dressed. She goes as far as putting her shirt back on if its taken off while she is sitting only again to take it off when she is standing up. These are just a few examples. Please help??? I am very concerned wondering is this normal?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

While two-year-olds can display an inclination to insist on the security of pretty rigid routines, the degree to which your daughter is showing the compulsions is unusual. Is it a cause for worry? Not necessarily. Is there a family history of anxiety or any other emotional condition? You may be witnessing the signs of an emerging anxiety disorder; it's too early to say. Is she otherwise developing in a normal way? The evaluation would make sense, but only time will tell if the behavior is transient or will persist.

[jdtm]

IMHO, these behaviours appear to be caused from anxiety and/or sensory issues.  OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) is an anxiety disorder but the behaviours listed are not exclusive to this disorder.  A medical professional who specializes in mental health/physical issues for children should be able to help you.  Anxiety    problems are usually treated using intervention, therapy and possibly medication.  By the way, anxiety issues tend to be highly treatable; and, the earlier the treatment, the better the diagnosis.

Our child displayed many of the behaviours you have indicated.  She was diagnosed with a severe social anxiety disorder at six years of age.  Five years later, she is doing fine.  I wish you the best.