6 yo daughter "collects" things....is something wrong and what do we do?

Question

My 6 yo daughter "collects" things like rocks, broken crayons, pieces of plastic and glass, anything small that she considers a treasure. We have asked her several times not to do this because she leaves them in her pockets when she puts her clothes in the dirty laundry. Several times she has ruined an entire load of clothes when a crayon has ended up in the wash. She was diagnosed with ADHD in April and we are still trying to get her on the right meds. Could this be a sign of OCD? We're going crazy! Please help! Is there a professional out there who can answer? Someone who is familiar with OCD maybe?

FYI the medications we have tried are the non-amphetamine type. And we did try many other options before medicating her.

Answer 1

Agreeing with the above answers for having a "special treasure chest" etc. & the reassurances that this is pretty normal behavior for kids that age. Red flags for possible OCD concerns (and yes, ODC type behaviors are seen a lot with kids with ADHD) would be "hoarding" type behaviors and excessive anxiety with throwing out any of her so called treasures, rituatlistic behaviors such as counting or washing or organizing, perfectionistic type stuff. My daughter is a big collector and we can only have three collections at a time, and then we have to "let them go". We also go on special trips to get her collectables to reinforce the idea that things you keep are "special" and some things can go in the trash. (ie--crayons are made to be used up and the nubs can go in the trash) You could try having her assist you with sorting the laundry and having her turn out all of her pockets as a chore and she might be more aware of putting things in her pockets. ADHD can be tough to deal with, too, make sure you have a doctor that meets with you at least every 6 weeks for med management and is incorportating behavioral techniques in addition to meds, is familiar with ADHD diagnosis and can refer you to support groups in your area. There are some really good ones out there. Good luck.

Answer 2

I don't think it's wrong at all. I did it, my sister did it, my dad even said he did it. All my little friends and every single child I've ever known has gone through a phase of collecting rocks, bugs, shiny stuff, etc.

Parents collect change, reciepts, gum wrappers, ink pens, tubes of lipstick, and other things they consider to be "treasures" or "important", and often leave them in their pockets as well.

Give her a special box, a "treasure chest" to put her treasures in.

And check pockets before you wash the clothes. I'm an adult and I still forget to take out change, pens, reciepts, ID card, wallet, cell phone, etc. from time to time. I don't ever remember "checking pockets" being my responsibility until I started washing my own laundry.

Maybe reconsider the diagnosis of ADHD?? She's only six!

I think you might be overreacting to a natural behaviour. Maybe you should be on medication so that you can "cope" with your daughter... Valium is a good start.

As for OCD, I believe that's definitely an overstatement. See below.

Answer 3

She sounds like my daughter Jaedyn...she will lug home a backpack filled with rocks every day home from school..This is no way a sign of OCD..I additionally have an older child who is High Functioning Autistic and has OCD tendencies. It is more something that they get in their head..like they have to have it...just general collecting or hording isnt a sign of OCD..even with the ADHD...Dont listen to the negative comments about medicating a child with ADHD..yes it is true that in some cases these children are being over medicated and that children that are simply over active are being treated for the condition..but a lot of children do need to be medicated in order to function in school. A good education is very important and if your child cant concentrate to learn than as a parent you need to do everything that you can...My husband is a special ed teacher and some of his kids are being done a great injustice by parents who dont want to admit that their children have a disability and meanwhile their children are going through school year after year and not learning anything because they cant concentrate.

Answer 4

Wow, I could so see myself doing that. I have ADHD and a little bit of OCD (usually you have them both). Anyway, I think you need to help her as she is only 6. Remind her and make sure she checks her pockets or whatever before sticking them with the dirty laundry. I forget things instantaneously, and it's a problem, but everyone knows that have to keep reminding me about whatever it is. Help her out a bit too, check all pockets etc before putting her clothes in the wash.

I don't think OCD has anything to do with medication or whatever. What I would do if I were you is get a pretty box (maybe one is her favorite color) and have it just for her "treasures". It might excite her to have her own special box for all her findings. Try it, there's more than one solution I'm sure.

Answer 5

Oh man, that is so frustrating when it gets in the laundry and ruins other clothing. This answer may not be what you are looking for but it's just an idea for what it's worth. When I was young I used to collect random things also. I think it is normal for any child to be curious and imaginative about anything. (now maybe I have ADHD and don't know it, I wouldn't be too suprized or worried.) I'm not sure if it is a problem that she is collecting these things or if the problem is the places they are being left, like the laundry. I'm wondering if you helped her decorate a shoe box, with pictures of things she found special or in what ever way you can think of. You could explain to her that this is the special place to keep these little treasures that she finds. This way if she has them in one spot she can show you her treasures and share with you or others what she thinks about them. Remind her to empty her pockets and put her special treasures away. Then later you may have to think of a creative way to get her to "thin them out" or choose only the most special because not everything can be special. My mom always took interest in my interest and made me feel like I was so creative and had such a brilliant mind for thinking of "that". I would often hear her say things like, I would have never thougth of that, you are so creative, etc. It always made me feel good. Oh and here is the funniest thing to me today, I used to roam our alley as a kid (disgusting I know, many years ago), I thought people often threw the coolest stuff away, it was never "bagged" either, usually just there in small metal can. I remember finding some other kids ceramic projects. I brought them home and gave them to my Dad, I was so excited about this incredible find. He smiled very big and thanked me for the gift, I can only imagine now what he must have been thinking. The hilarious part is, a few years ago when his health began to fail I happened to get a look in his personal desk, a roll top he kept us kids out of, even as we got older. There was one of those garbage ceramic finds functioning as a pen holder, I laughed so hard and explained to everyone else then picked it up and sure enough there was some other kids name on the bottom. My mom had a chuckle and just said something like "Oh the things you kids used to bring home." To this day I can recall some of the instances and realize how truly "crazy" or "child like" some of those things must have been for her. It made me feel really good as a kid when she would be so positive, and I can recall those feelings today. It's almost like I re-experience those good feelings in some way. I'm grateful for it.
So maybe I am way off the mark here, but I wish the best for you and your child.

Answer 6

Collecting "treasures" is actually a sign of higher cognitive development. Your child already understands the concept of value and set formations. And being six years old means that the ruined clothing is actually your fault (or whoever does the laundry). A six year old doesn't have the capacity to remember to empty her pockets. I always worry when parents medicate their children with amphetamines at such a young age. Before I'd do anything else to hamper this obviously creative and gifted child, I contact a pediatric psychiatrist that specializes in gifted children for a full evaluation.

Answer 7

Go on "treasure hunts" with her.
My daughter would collect rocks. I used to when I was younger, then got back into it because of my daughter.
It's a neat bonding experience, and you're letting the kid pick the activity.
And, just check the pockets before laundry.

p.s. when she was around 8 or 9, she gave me this little rock she had found. It's rounded, brown, and less than an inch in diameter.
I carry it with me always - it's my lucky rock.
Now, at 15, she get's a kick out of me for running back into the house to get my lucky rock before we go anywhere.

Answer 8

That is soo funny (except for the glass part). Just keep her interested in collecting something different. Get a shoebox and help her decorate it. Tell her if she finds something, like a nice stone or mable, to put it in the box. There's nothing wrong with your daughter. Doctors like to diagnose things like ADHD, because they get paid of prescriptions. Let her be a child- she'll be fine.

Plus you could do more damage by having her constantly seeing specialists. She may grow up thinking that she is different and that there is something wrong with her.

Answer 9

no not at all this is completely normal instead of going crazy of finding risking finding stuff in pockets why dont u buy her a little treasure chest and tell her to put her collected treasures in there and then when there are alot of things incurage her to make crafts out of them im sure she will have fun and i doubt this is a sign of OCD all kids love gathering things no matter how pointless or useless adults think they are, so there is no reason to go crazy just incourage her to use them and make crafts, that would be great bonding time doing crafts together good luck and your child it toally fine

Answer 10

It is normal for children of that age to collect things. Just check the pockets of clothes before putting them into the wash. You have come across nothing yet, I put my hand in the pocket of my son's shorts and pulled out live worms.