OCD type behaviour - ideas to help my son please

[picnicinthewoods]

He is almost 7. He goes though phases where the OCD type behaviours are more extreme, but is a child who always has little rituals etc
I'm sorry to say he is driving me a bit bonkers! I try so hard to be patient but I'm failing a bit atm and just need some ideas to help me help him!
OCD behaviours he currently displays: socks and shoes have to be 'just right'. Infact all clothing has to be just right and he pretty much wears one outfit every day and washes it. It can take him an unreasonable amount of time to get ready to go out. We always sort his clothes out the night before and make sure its clean and hes happy to wear it, but then he will make little alterations to his outfit constantly before we leave to go out. If its even slightly raining he must wear all waterproofs, coat done up with hood, gloves etc Usually we have all been waiting a while for him by now & usually just before we leave he will then say something isn't quite right & usually that's when I end up getting cross. He does not like to get any dirt on his clothes and he does not like them getting wet. He will change immediately if this happens.
So that's the main thing, but he is rather obsessional in general. bedding has to be perfect & I usually have to get up in the night to alter his bedding.
Ideas please!

[picnicinthewoods]

Thanks I will look at those CBT workbooks, could be just what Im looking for.

He has no dx. It seems to come in phases. I have thought about going to the GP, I'm not sure what stops me. I guess we then have a good phase and I think everything is ok.

He does have some social difficulties too, but I think he is growing out of it. I'm just thinking in that respect he is a late bloomer.

He is very touch sensitive and Im thinking now that maybe its more that than OCD? although he is a worrier by nature. Y'know he cuts labels out of everything, will only wear pJ style joggers for comfort & the sock and shoe thing is all about comfort. Having said that he does also have rituals, although they change but often means he collects odd things (receipts, sticks etc).

I do think I need to change the way I view his 'obsessions'. In fact its fine when DD isn't there and Im very, very patient but whens shes around I feel sorry for her because she has to endure all his time consuming habits and they make us late for her things which isn't fair.

[picnicinthewoods]

PolterGoose, Ivejust ordered that book, thanks for that:)

[picnicinthewoods]

Thank you!

[picnicinthewoods]

oh yes and also polterGoose, does your DS have a dx for sensory processing disorder and if so, did you go via your GP and what kind of help does he get?

[picnicinthewoods]

ok thank you:) my son is home educated, but reason I took him out of playschool was sensory related (he couldn't bear the noise). Hard now for me to gage what's 'in the normal range' iygwim.
What was the 6 week alert programme all about? Is it just for kids with a dx?

[picnicinthewoods]

Thanks:)