OCD about hand washing

I have Aspergers. I have OCD, which developed when I was a child. It was particularly bad when I was 8 years, then it got better, got bad again aged 10, then improved, but went downhill again when I was a teenager. I was only diagnosed with it when I was 19, but was not diagnosed with Aspergers until I was 21. I still have OCD - it comes in waves, and it revolves around germs and washing hands and cutlery.  Ocd creates constant negative thoughts and consequent compulsions: washing, checking etc. I also check the oven and light switches obsessivly. I have read that OCD is very common with Aspergers: it might affect similar parts of the brain.

I respond to facts well, and concrete examples that show me why the feared object is not as dangerous as  I believe it is, helps me. Also, I take things very literally. Be careful how you word things because your daughter, having AS, might take things the wrong way due to a misunderstanding and this can result in OCD. Best to be very clear about things, particularly when talking about health and safety. For example, when talking about washing hands after using the toilet, maybe you could show your daughter how long you wash your hands or get someone else to show her, so that she is clear how long it is 'normal' to wash your hands for. This avoids ambiguity.

I have Aspergers. I have OCD, which developed when I was a child. It was particularly bad when I was 8 years, then it got better, got bad again aged 10, then improved, but went downhill again when I was a teenager. I was only diagnosed with it when I was 19, but was not diagnosed with Aspergers until I was 21. I still have OCD - it comes in waves, and it revolves around germs and washing hands and cutlery.  Ocd creates constant negative thoughts and consequent compulsions: washing, checking etc. I also check the oven and light switches obsessivly. I have read that OCD is very common with Aspergers: it might affect similar parts of the brain.

I respond to facts well, and concrete examples that show me why the feared object is not as dangerous as  I believe it is, helps me. Also, I take things very literally. Be careful how you word things because your daughter, having AS, might take things the wrong way due to a misunderstanding and this can result in OCD. Best to be very clear about things, particularly when talking about health and safety. For example, when talking about washing hands after using the toilet, maybe you could show your daughter how long you wash your hands or get someone else to show her, so that she is clear how long it is 'normal' to wash your hands for. This avoids ambiguity.