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Hand in Hand Fall 2015, Vol. 19 Issue 3 © Copyright 2015 Down Syndrome Research Foundation Hand in Hand is published four times per year and is available for free (in e-format) through the DSRF website at DSRF.org; print copies are available through the DSRF office. Back issues of the newsletter can be obtained at a cost of $5 each by contacting the DSRF office. The views expressed in the newsletter articles are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Down Syndrome Research Foundation or its staff. Readers are welcome to excerpt or reprint portions of this newsletter with notification and credit to DSRF. A Word from DSRF’s Executive Director Dawn McKenna After a summer filled with beautiful warm, sunny days we are happy to welcome students back to the fall programs. All the individual sessions for reading, speech and occupational therapy in the fall block are full, but there may be one space left in the Social Communication and Navigation (SCAN), and the Money Math and Budgeting programs. We are looking for new space in Surrey to accommodate more program spaces in future blocks - stay tuned! Registrations are also filling up for our 20th anniversary conference (see page 13). The “From Good to Great” conference is an unprecedented opportunity for parents and professionals to learn from an outstanding lineup of experts from Canada, the US and internationally as well. Topics cover communication skills, behavioural support, employment, reading, toilet training, negative impact of sleep apnea, supports for those ageing with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and much more. Registration and information can be found on our website. Included in this issue are two articles from experts who will be presenting at the event. The first is on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the second covers care for persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Both topics will be covered in greater detail at the conference. The annual Christmas Breakfast is taking place on Friday December 11th. We almost ran out of room last year so be sure to book your seats early! We are also planning to have another family skate in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day next year, so mark your calendars for Friday March 18th and stay tuned for more information. Lastly, we are holding an Extraordinary General Meeting for our members on Tuesday, October 20th. We very much appreciate the hard work, oversight and guidance that our volunteer Board of Directors provide on a regular basis. This meeting is being held to bring two new members on to the Board to help fill gaps in needed skill sets. We hope you will join us for the meeting, which will also be a good opportunity to get caught up on DSRF activities. If you can’t join us in person, please send in your proxy so that we can ensure a quorum. 1409 Sperling Avenue Burnaby, BC, Canada V5B 4J8 tel: (604) 444-3773 | fax: (604) 431-9248 Toll Free in Canada: 1-888-464-DSRF e-mail: info@dsrf.org | web: www.dsrf.org Charitable # 898907266RR0001 ISSN 1491-7977 Editor Dawn McKenna Design & Production Glen Hoos To stay up to date on all the latest activities at DSRF, make sure you’re receiving our regular electronic announcements. Sign up from the home page of our website at www.dsrf.org. Thank you to everyone who has lent a hand, either by volunteering your time and energy to support a program or event, or through financial contributions that help us continue our work. We appreciate each and every gift, and thank you for your ongoing support. Yours sincerely, Dawn McKenna DSRF Executive Director Hand in Hand Fall 2015, Vol. 19 Issue 3
The Nuts and Bolts of Understanding OCD By Katherine Martinez, Psy.D., R.Psych is a clinical psychologist at the Vancouver CBT Centre What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves unwanted and disturbing thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that intrude into an individual’s mind and cause a great deal of anxiety or discomfort, which the individual then tries to reduce by engaging in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Often, compulsions are performed in a ritualistic, or very specific way (for example, counting to six each time an article of clothing is removed). The following table lists common obsessive themes and compulsive rituals: OBSESSIONS Contamination. Fear or distress about coming into contact with dirt, germs, sticky substances, or chemicals (e.g., household cleansers), or getting sick, or getting others sick after touching "dirty" or "contaminated" items. Accidental harm to self or others. Fear of harming yourself or others through carelessness. For example, "What if the mess I made left behind germs and my mom gets sick because of me!" Symmetry and exactness. A need to have items ordered in a certain way (for example, according to color, size, or facing a certain direction). Individuals with this type of obsession are either anxious because "it just doesn't feel right" or because of a superstitious belief that something bad will happen (e.g., "if my shoes are not arranged properly, I will die!"). Often, the content of obsessions sounds very odd or makes no sense. For example, a child with OCD might say that he or she needs to arrange all the teddy bears from smallest to biggest or else something bad will happen to his friend. Most people are aware that these thoughts are strange; however, do not be surprised if your child doesn't think his or her thoughts are odd. Young children and some individuals with disabilities have no idea that their obsessions sound peculiar to others. A need for perfection: Some individuals feel a strong need for things to be perfect or right. For example, a client might not be able to start her job until her tools are all ordered and perfectly arranged, or cannot finish a task until she is certain it’s perfect. Others struggle to tolerate if something isn’t 100% right, focusing on doing the right thing all the time or thinking about every tiny mistake. Forbidden thoughts: Entering into adolescence/adulthood is a time of sexual maturity and most people think about sex and sexual identity during this time. However, for some individuals they are plagued with unwanted thoughts and images about being gay when they know they are not, or thinking about engaging in sexual behavior that feels upsetting and even repulsive to them. COMPULSIONS Washing or cleaning. Washing hands excessively, sometimes until they are raw and bleeding. There are many other types of washing behaviors, including: • Toilet rituals (e.g., excessive wiping). • Grooming/tooth brushing rituals (e.g., brushing each tooth in a particular order). • Showering rituals (e.g., washing each body part a certain number of times or in a particular order). • Cleaning compulsions (e.g., rituals and rules for how to wash laundry, clean the bathroom, kitchen, etc.). Checking. These types of compulsions can involve checking doors, locks, or backpacks, to make sure everything is safe. Some people check to make sure that everyone is okay. For example, calling family or staff members to “check” that they are safe. Counting, tapping, touching, or rubbing. Compulsions can involve counting, touching, or tapping objects in a particular way. Some people have lucky and unlucky numbers involved in their rituals (e.g., needing to touch a door four times before leaving a room). Ordering/arranging. This compulsion involves arranging items in specific ways, such as bed sheets, clothing, or books in bag. For example, an individual might need to line up all the shoes in the closet so that they all face forward, and are matched by color. Mental rituals. Not all people with OCD will have compulsions that can be seen. Some perform rituals in their head, such as saying prayers or trying to replace a “bad” image or thought with a “good” image or thought. For example, your client might have a bedtime prayer that he or she mentally repeats over and over again until it “feels right.” Hand in Hand Fall 2015, Vol. 19 Issue 3
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