child has had OCD since age 7, now 15, 1st claim for DLA. Child copies / repeats all actions of mother from opening / closing doors / cuboards, turning lights on / off, too going to the toilet when mum has been (including at night). Child also repeats all speach of mum.

This behaviour is very disruptive to household and particularly mum. Mum avoids speaking in childs presence because of repeating (i.e. can't have conversation with other siblings / visitors / on phone). Also disruptive of mums general activities - i.e has to plan every move (i.e going to toilet) because of child repeating the activity.

This behaviour is focused soley on mum and doesn't happen when mum not present (i.e. at school).

The OCD is due to anxiety that someting bad will happen to mum. Good supporting medical evidence to hand.

However, where does this behaviour fit into attention / suppervision? At crude level what is involved is planning avoidance tactics to minimise childs disruptive behaviour rather than attention or supervision - it's almost the opposite!. Child is able to self care so no direct attention needs and supervision is most obviously emotional support to deal with her self awarness of her OCD.


Could argue reasonably requires supervision (support , encouragement etc) from another person to overcome the compulsive behaviour when mum is present.

Anyone aware of any case law on this very specific issue? Any experience of similar cases?

How is it being treated? I've seen people with OCD treated by congitive behavioural therapy where they have to reach targets of non OCD behaviour (eg someone who is obsessively clean and tidy with things they handle has a task of buying a rumpled newspaper once a week). If this is the case then it would be the mother who would be leading the therapy in such a child. "I'm all right Emily. I won't be hurt going to the toilet. Please stay outside whilst I go."

(I'm getting to the point) I wonder if such communication could be classed as attention, almost along the lines of the extra communication needed for deaf people under CDLA 3433/1999 (which is now reported - R(DLA)2/02 or something).

Of course if it's not treated in this way, and if the mum just has to run a mile to go to the toilet, then it wouldn't count.

Sorry if this is no help, it's not easy to see a way in for attention, and it's hard to see how continual supervision could apply if she's okay at school (which may also stymie frequent attention throughout the day as well but not necessarily).