By Autumn Child, Arizona State University, Family and Human Development (M.S.). Part of Autumn’s Neurodivergent Blog Series, written during her Parents2Partners internship.
I listened to an episode of The OCD Stories Podcast titled “Helping Parents Help Children (and Teens) with OCD,” featuring Kevin Ashworth, clinical director of the NW Anxiety Institute. I was working with other Arizona State University interns on our own podcast about neurodiversity, and this episode offered helpful insight for parents. Here is what I learned.
1. Let go of shame
Many parents feel afraid or ashamed to bring their child to therapy, as if it means their parenting failed. Seeking help is brave. It is okay not to have every answer, and a child needing treatment is not a reflection of your parenting.
2. Face OCD as a team
Instead of seeing therapy as something that will “fix” the child, see OCD as something the whole family works on together, since it affects everyone at home.
3. Help your child become the expert
OCD can bring a lot of shame and guilt. When children understand their OCD and feel in control enough to talk about it, recovery gets easier.
4. Let your child speak in sessions
It is tempting to tell the therapist everything you think they should know. But your child needs a voice in their own therapy. If it is hard not to jump in, you can step out and return when the clinician invites you.