Is this something?

[hadleys_mom]

My DD is 6.5. She was a 23 week preemie and as a result is visually impaired, hypotonic, speech delay, oral aversions, and SPD. For about the last 6 months, I've noticed an increase in her becoming obsessed with things. Typically it is something that involves some sort of emotion. For example, she and been desperately wanting to take gymnastics. It took awhile but we finally found a place that was willing to work with her. Once we enrolled her in the class, she become obsessed with the idea of getting a leotard. She asked no less than 100 the first day about when she would be getting her leotard. We repeatedly told her what needed to happen to get one. Finally, I asked her to please stop asking about it. She tearfully told me that she could stop thinking about it. Not even 5 minutes later she asked again about the leotard. This pattern of behavior and response happens a lot. If I think about it she has asked me on two occasions to talk to her doctor about why she can't stop thinking about something. Today we had a problem on the playground with mean girls and by the end of it DD was saying "I know that everything is ok, I just can't stop thinking about wanting to play with them." I don't know if this is just typical 6 year old behavior or if she really needs some sort of neuro support to help her let go of thoughts. Anyone have any experience or insight with this? I don't even know who I would talk to or what to have her evaluated for.

Thanks!

[Linda on the move]

My DD sometimes does things like that. It's like her mind is stuck in a loop and she can't get it *unstuck.* I think, that to a degree, it can be a normal behavoir. But, when it is really out of wack to the point of making it difficult for the child to function, it's a red flag.

Has your DD had a neuro-psych eval? Cognitive behavoiral therapy is helpful for this kind of thing.

[PikkuMyy]

I'm a special education teacher with lots of nanny experience and it's definitely not typical 6 yo behavior. Clearly your daughter is very aware of what is happening with her and I think you should honor her request to take her to a doctor.

Asking about a leotard 100 times, even if you are exagerating by half, isn't normal.

Obsessive thoughts that you can't stop even when you realize they aren't correct or necessary is part of the OCD umbrella. I would look for a child psychologist/therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety. I agree with the PP that cognitive behavior therapy is the best out there for helping people, both children, and adults, recognize patterns of behavior and thoughts and learn to control them.

[sbgrace]

Not typical and she's obviously feeling she can't control the thoughts and they are upsetting her. That runs into anxiety disorder and perhaps OCD territory in my experience. If you can take her to someone who does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in kids who knows OCD. If it's not OCD it's OCD like and CBT will be the best approach for it. The OCD foundation has lists of doctors who do pediatric OCD.