Does Down Syndrome have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

As Neal's memory and learning ability have increased, my husband and I have noticed what I would call 'Obsessive Compulsive Disorder'.

Imagine that your mind got stuck
on a certain thought or action...
Then this thought or action got replayed
over and
over again
no matter what you did…
You don’t want these thoughts – it feels like an avalanche…
You don't want to line up your toys.....
Along with the thoughts come intense feelings of anxiety
and with the anxiety the thought or action is replayed over and over trying to reduce the anxiety!!

The above excerpt is from the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation:  http://www.ocfoundation.org/
There was an essay written and delivered at an NDSS conference in 2005 which proves my point exactly. Dr. Dennis McGuire describes Down syndrome behavior in 'If the World was Ruled by Down syndrome'-
In the world of Down Syndrome, there would be a great deal more tolerance for:
■Repeating the same phrase or question
■Use of the terms “fun” and “cleaning” in the same sentence
■Closing doors or cabinets that are left ajar (even in someone else’s house)
■Arranging things until they are “Just so.”
All that he describes are OCD behaviors. Is this positive? I truly think he is trying to be positive toward Down syndrome, but I'm insulted. He has just described a disorder that everyone else gets treatment for and for DS it is 'cute'. Redirecting and behavior therapy have been helpful, but wouldn't it be wonderful to turn the OCD behavior off and with it the accompanying anxiety?
To read the entire essay by Dr. McGuire go to http://www.nads.org/pages_new/news/ruletheworld.html

PANDA

PANDA is not about a cute black and white bear. It stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. I wanted to mention this at the July conference but we ran short on time. I couldn't stop the intelligent questions the participants had of the scientist from Stanford so I cut myself out. Just as an aside, my friend, Debbie, commented on how well informed the audience was.

PANDA is an idea or theory that some of the obsessive compulsive behaviors (OCD) could be caused by an out of whack immune response. Once Neal's ability to learn and remember improved, we observed much more OCD behavior. Actually, the OCD behavior was always present. It is just that as his function improved you could tell how deliberate the OCD behavior was.

My pediatrician suggested we look at the PANDA theory. Neal had a blood test for antibodies against 'group A beta-hemalytic streptococcus (GABHS). The results showed that he had a significant number of antibodies and he was placed on a month of antibiotics. The regimen included Amoxicillin (250mg 2 x daily) and Azithromycin (250mg 1 tablet/day Monday through Friday).

After one month, we have seen no improvement in Neal's behavior. The pedi wants to try a second month so we are about to start. I'll report back any changes.

Some examples of OCD behaviors include: pushing buttons, closing doors, cabinets, drawers, getting stuck on a thought or idea, pulling out hair, kleptomania, to name a few.