Did you know? At the Law Offices of Adam Dayan, raising awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is deeply personal. Our founder, Adam Dayan, knows firsthand what it means to live with OCD. Adam’s journey with OCD began as a child and shaped not only who he is as a person, but also the mission of the firm. What began as a struggle became a source of strength. Adam’s experiences taught him resilience, empathy, and determination – qualities that drive our advocacy for children and families navigating challenges in education.
Myths vs Facts
Let’s bust some myths about OCD in children! Understanding the truth is the first step toward compassion.
Myth: Children with OCD are just being difficult or Stubborn.
Fact: OCD is a real medical condition that makes children feel they have to do certain things (like repeat, check, or avoid). Even when they don’t want to.
Myth: OCD is only about handwashing or keeping things neat
Fact: OCD can look very different in kids – sometimes it’s intrusive thoughts. Fears about harm, or rituals they feel they must complete.
Myth: My child will grow out of it.
Fact: OCD won’t just disappear, but with the right support – at home, in school, and through treatment – kids can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Fact! Today and everyday we stand with the millions who live with OCD and advocate so every child feels seen, supported, and understand. We can help!
Symptom Spotlight
OCD can affect children in ways that aren’t always obvious
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- Intrusive thoughts: scary “what if” worries they can’t turn off
- Checking: rereading homework or seeking reassurance over and over
- Contamination fears: excessive handwashing, and avoiding touching surfaces
- Repetitive rituals: performing specific routines often repeatedly throughout the day
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No two children experience OCD the same way. Every child deserves understanding, compassion, and the right support at school and at home.
When a child is struggling with OCD, school can feel very overwhelming. From intrusive thoughts to rituals that take time away from learning, OCD can impact confidence, focus, academic progress and more.
School & Daily Life Challenges
For many children, OCD becomes most visible at school, where social and academic pressures can feel overwhelming. With understanding and support, students with OCD can learn, grow, and thrive. School professionals may notice students:
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- Spending an unusually long time on assignments due to repeated checking
- Frequently leaving the classroom for rituals or reassurance
- Avoiding shared materials or playground equipment
- Becoming “stuck” on intrusive thoughts instead of engaging with lessons.
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Stories of OCD
As we shared earlier this week, our founder, Adam Dayan has had a very personal journey with OCD. His own struggles became the driving force behind our firm’s mission – to provide compassionate, effective legal advocacy so that every child receives the Free and Appropriate Public Education they are entitled to under the law. As our firm has grown, Adam has remained intentional about building a tream that is not only highly skilled, but also deeply connected to the values and mission that guide our work. During the onboarding process, Adam openly shares his story and the heart behind the firm, ensuring that each team member understands the “why” behind what we do.
When Adam’s Executive Assistant Kristine Champagne, joined the firm in January 2022, they soon discovered they shared a similar childhood experience of navigating the challenges of OCD. This personal connection has further strengthened their partnership and the firm’s commitment to approaching each family’s journey with empathy, understanding, and hope.
Kristine recently joined Adam in the studio to open up about her personal journey with OCD on his podcast “the Curious Incident”. (Episode 41: The Hidden Battle: A lifetime with OCD, Anxiety and Hope).
Wrapping up the week
As OCD Awareness Week comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we’ve learned and recommitting to advocating for every child’s right to understanding and support.
This week, we’ve shared insights about Obsessive -Compulsive Disorder. We’ve looked at what it is, how it can affect children and the importance of compassion and advocacy in both school and daily life.
Together we’ve explored:
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- Some of the Myths and facts about OCD
- Ways OCD may show up in children in the classroom and home
- Personal stories about living with OCD
- And finally…
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How We Can Help!
Our law firm can help as we work with families to:
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- Secure appropriate supports and accommodations
- Ensure a child’s educational rights are protected
- Collaborate with schools to build understanding and compassion
- Empower parents to advocate with confidence
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Schedule a Consultation today and get help for your child.