Children with mental illnesses have received insufficient attention, particularly in the areas of research, practice, and funding of health care services. However, more emphasis has been placed on child-friendly psychosocial and pharmacological treatments rather than an expansion of adult mental health practices (Pyle, Jordan, & Saklofkse, 2009). Because many childhood disorders were once believed to disappear as children aged, it is critical to recognize that these disorders actually have a significant effect on future development (Fichter, Kohlboeck, Quadflieg, Wyschkon, & Esser, 2009 ). As such, knowing the development and stability of psychopathology from childhood to adolescence provides important information for the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses. Obsessive compulsive disorder in childhood, commonly known as pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), has been found to be the most common mental illness in children. It was once considered rather rare in children, but recent data indicates prevalence rates of between 0.5% and 2%. It is a persistent and disabling disorder that creates serious long-term risk for children affected by it (Peris & Piacentini, 2014). Previous research has shown that when assessing OCD, definitions of age of onset vary; however, for middle childhood OCD, the age of onset is between 7 and 10 years ( Anholt et al. For children with OCD, it is of the utmost importance that an assessment is completed in a timely and accurate manner. An assessment of the symptoms present is essential to identify the severity of their presentation, recommend possible treatments, and monitor the ...... middle of paper ...... with exposure and response prevention. Neuropsychiatry, 2(4), 291-300. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/npy.12.38Peris, T.S. & Piacentini, J. (2014). Overcoming barriers to change in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. Journal of Rational - Emotional and Cognitive - Behavioral Therapy, 32(1), 31-43. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10942-014-0183-6Pyle, N., Jordan, J., & Saklofske, DH (2009). Mental health disorders in children: evidence and contextual factors for psychosocial, psychopharmacological and combined interventions. Canadian Psychology, 50(1), 49-50. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220820260?accountid=14068Stewart, SE, Hezel, D., & Stachon, AC (2012). Assessment and medication management of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. Drugs, 72(7), 881-93. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/11632860-000000000-00000