Re: Question for the Doctors - to Dawn from Dr Chansky

[Guest guest]

Dear Dawn,

This is not an uncommon scenario, and typically a combined treatment approach is

helpful: the neurologist for medication and a cognitive behavior therapist for

the OCD-- especially with bad thought OCD, very important that the therapist is

comfortable with exposure techniques, and yes while probably any therapist who

specializes in OCD would be good, it would be helpful to check if they've had

experience working with children on the spectrum. A pediatric doc who

specializes in autism may or may not have expertise in working with children

with OCD. If you don't see improvement with the treatment your son is getting

now, you can discuss that with your providers and either they may have

referrals, or you can look on the OCFoundation website, or check back with me

here.

All best,

TC

>

> My son has high functioning autism and OCD. His OCD issues are more of a

problem than his autism this past year. He is 13 years old and has bad thoughts

that make him worry unrealistically. Should he be treated by a neurologist who

specializes in OCD or a pediatric behaviorial doctor who specializes in autism?

My son has been treated by the same psychiatrist and counseling center for the

last two years. Should we stay put because they know him well or make a move to

one of the experts I mentioned above? If you say expert, which expert should

prescribe his medication - the neurologist with OCD expertise or the

ped/behaviorial expert in autism?

>

> Thank you.

>

> Dawn

>