Join us at the 2026 New Hampshire School Counselor Association Conference in Plymouth, NH!

Closing the Gap: Early Recognition and Support for Students with OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) impacts 1 in 100 kids, meaning every school likely has at least several kids struggling with OCD. On average, kids live with OCD for nearly 3 years before diagnosis, often because adults do not recognize the symptoms and many children are not aware that their experience is out of the ordinary and thus may not know to ask for help. This introductory-level workshop will provide an overview of OCD as it affects youth, particularly in school. Presenters will provide research-based information on the nature, prevalence, impact, and cognitive-behavioral model of pediatric OCD. The workshop will also provide a primer in differential diagnosis and comorbidities of OCD along with the foundational principles and overview of the most scientifically supported psychotherapeutic intervention for OCD: exposure and response prevention (ERP). A number of pediatric OCD case examples within the school context will be provided. Presenters will also guide participants in identifying signs of OCD in the school setting and accessing appropriate referral resources as well as helpful in-school interventions and support, including recommendations for school staff, parents, and caregivers.