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Post by sarahsma on Jan 5, 2006 14:33:40 GMT -5
We are starting to see some obsessive behavior from Sarah. ex. Won't go to bed unless everything is where it is "supposed" to be. Doesn't want her hair to touch the pillow because she heard a song about a girl going through chemo and her hair had fallen out on the pillow.Afraid hers might too.We talk untill we are blue in the face but I am wondering if obsessions are common in kids with DS?
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 6, 2006 6:32:25 GMT -5
We talked about this on another board I am on. We were talking about toddlers but I do think some of us with kids w/DS do see this behavior. I also think kids in general go through phases where they need "order". I know my oldest did when she was little but it was a phase and passed.
I wouldn't be concerned with the action or behavior itself but if the action or behavior is truly getting in the way of daily life and learning.. if that makes sense? And I know alot of parents that still try to "break" it if that makes sense? Like, it's ok to have "order' but have things out of order so she doesn't get to rigid and then truly start to NEED this behavior to function everyday? I know it's a pick and choose thing.. and truly depends on each child if you ask me. Some kids who are Autistic and truly OCD... you can't really do this easily,if at all and it's sometimes best not to. But in some kids.. they go through phases of "order" and you need to help break it because the real world isn't like that...
Sounds like your daughter might just have some fear right now, because you said she heard a song? I might be inclined to give into it for now for comfort reasons. If it's a fear, trying to dismiss it might not work or only keep the fear longer. KWIM?
A.
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Post by Jackie on Jan 6, 2006 19:05:06 GMT -5
Being the mom of an adult with DS I must say that I do hear some about other teens and adults with obsessive behavior.
Emily doesn't really have any except for the fact she has always slept with a "serious" light on...not just a nightlight. And...if I sneak in and turn it off...it's ALWAYS back on in the morning. But...we can all live with this.
I think when our kids are younger we might actually be feeding into this sort of behavior without realizing it. So much of the literature suggests that we should get our kids into a "routine". I think thats a good idea to a point but also think routines can lead to obsessions so we walk a fine line here.
I do know lots of parents who report that their kids have to have things just so to go to sleep...but have no suggestions for you on this.
Life with a family of six was always so chaotic that Emily really never had time to develop any obsessions.
If it gets worse I would certainly seek some professional help.
Jackie mom to Emily 25
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Post by Debbie on Jan 6, 2006 21:38:26 GMT -5
I understand obsessiveness and I know it can be a comfort to us sometimes but, I have to agree, it can be a problem for those who are older and especially adults.
For a child it can be phase like Jackie said. I had to have a light at night myself. I was afraid of the dark. I still use a night light, my globe becomes a night light by me just touching it. I can't see in the dark though so I have a good excuse!
It is funny how hearing something, a song, where the words still were inside of her mind.
I understand about "order" as well. Everything has to be "just so." I take a bath every other day, I have to sip my favorite hot tea and it depends on what time of the day you do to certain things and what you do when it time for your bath or shower. I can be an obsessive thinker and tend to talk about things that I can't stop thinking about. I am not that bad, really, it drives my parents crazy sometimes especially my mother. I understand more than you know with the exception of being a parent that is. All you can do is I suppose wait and see how long this phase will last. Keep us imformed on Sarah.
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Post by ALLISA on Jan 7, 2006 9:08:36 GMT -5
I agree with Jackie on us "helping" to fuel it....now that Erin is potty trained....she looks almost robotic (althoug in the cutest way possible)..... What I m trying to say is her movements and all are so predictable....she pulls down pants...hops on toilet.....does her stuff.....hops down , pants up.....toilet seat down VERY VERY GENTLY and then flushes,.....hops around....hops on stool ...it's almost looks choregraphed because it is exaclty the same...and if stool is off center....she knows it ! Anyway....I got off track, but I do think that the "routines" amd predicatabiltiy that we put them on early on will continue to be a comfort for them later. PS>>>>>what do I do about my Uno obsession ? LOL  |
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Post by hannahph on Jan 7, 2006 10:17:54 GMT -5
hannah tends to have some obsessions. She is seven. She likes to have things a certain way and it makes her crazy if they are not.It makes me even crazier dealing with it. With Hannah it seems to be if that was they way she learned how to do something, that is the way it HAS to be for her.It's the same thing as Alissa said, if the stool to wash her hands is backwards she HAS to move it. When Hannah was really little I was trying to explain to her where we were going that day. I said to her "do you remember your cousin, Elizabeth? We are going to her house" To this day she insists her cousins name is Remember! I can not convince her otherwise. I think at this point I just try to leave extra time to let her do her thing but I do worry that when she gets older it could be a problem.
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Post by steffipoo on Jan 8, 2006 21:05:18 GMT -5
I'll tell ya Olivia tends to be obsessive. And me I am completely anal so that doesn't help. But through the years we have found that when Olivia starts to completely obsess about something we change it up ... Like if I do something in a certain order everyday I need to change it up or olivia EXPECTS it to always be that way and does obsess. BUT when we change we talk her thru it and occasionally I give her to my crazy sis where NOTHING is predictable..LOL She loves it there even though things aren't in order or people don't eat at 7-12- and 5 lol instead they eat at maybe 9 one day 11 one day then eat dinner at 9-10 pm.... Liv likes the change up cause its my sis. She does however talk herself thru everything.... When I make a change to something I will explain the new order and she makes sure she has got it then repeats it to me then she feels safe. OKAY OKAY she may ask me 50 times like this mom and say the new order and i'll say yes then she feels okay and asks again..lol. I am so tired of hearing myself talk. lol
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Post by steffipoo on Jan 8, 2006 21:09:00 GMT -5
Hey I have an idea... What about a new pillowcase?  Kyle and liv love their satin ones... Perhaps you can say... this pillowcase in her fav color is soft and silky and your hair won't come off on it cause its so slippery. Hey just a thought that would most likely work on my girl. BUT if its something she can only do one way start adding new stuff and taking out others. She will eventually have to soothe herself to sleep so perhaps finding something that relaxes her.. a song? a cd? |
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Post by sarahsma on Jan 9, 2006 19:48:07 GMT -5
Thanks to all that replied.You are all so helpful.Good News,I changed Sarah's room around and she hasn't had trouble falling asleep since. I asked her if she is still afraid of her hair falling out and she said not anymore!So I guess I really do need to stir things up from time to time. Again, Thanks for all the great advice.
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 9, 2006 19:56:59 GMT -5
Well that is GREAT!!! You know.. with my oldest, who has ADD... we have to do "environmental" changes sometimes to help her... so, whatever works, right? Glad you thought of it and it worked!!!!!
Hugs!
a.
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Post by steffipoo on Jan 9, 2006 20:28:57 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D ;D
GREAT NEWS!!!!! I love it. HEY can ya come to my house and fix the kids room up??? UGG I tore it apart and alas I am at my wits end as to what to do with it. A tornado in there....what to give away and what not to give away..hmmmmm..just can't figure it out... HELP!!!!!
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Post by Claire on Feb 4, 2006 21:39:35 GMT -5
I have to say that Adam 8 does have some obssessive behaviors. He wil only sit in a certain chair to eat, now hsi new one is blowing rasberry kisses. Seems like once we get rid of one he gets another one. ;D All in all I don't know if this is true at all but I was told that children with Down syndrome have some obssessive behaviors like Autistic children have.
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Post by Jackie on Feb 13, 2006 20:17:23 GMT -5
I think we all have some obsessive behaviors.
Maybe its my age...but I think its an obsession....I HAVE to hit the potty right before going into a movie...even if I don't have to go or went right before we left home. If I don't ...then I sit there the whole time wondering if I should have gone when I had the chance....Most of us manage to sublimate or cover them up...but our kids are more naive so theirs are apparent. I KNOW that some behaviours are more pronounced than others and really sort of unsual...like the twirling many of the kids do...or just repetitve banging on things...etc. Those are harder to cope with.
Jackie mom to Emily 25
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Kyle and liv love their satin ones... Perhaps you can say... this pillowcase in her fav color is soft and silky and your hair won't come off on it cause its so slippery. Hey just a thought that would most likely work on my girl. BUT if its something she can only do one way start adding new stuff and taking out others. She will eventually have to soothe herself to sleep so perhaps finding something that relaxes her.. a song? a cd?