2 year old lining up toys.. is this ever normal?

Question

My 2.5 year old has suddenly started lining up his toys in play. It is not the only way he plays, but he just started doing it in the last couple weeks. Everything you hear about this is autism-aspergers sign. His speech is good- 6-8 word sentences, though sometimes he repeats things, he also comes up with many sentences on his own. He jumps around a lot too. Should I have him seen since he's lining things up now?

Answer 1

I would keep watching it and talk to you doctor if you are still concerned.  I am a teacher and have seen children with Aspergers.  They are usually very intelligent although the one I taught did have communication problems.  He always walks on his tip toes and was just "different" than other children. I wouldn't be too concerned, just keep track of it and write down things that you notice.

Answer 2

This is normal...I think this autism thing is getting way out of hand and scaring people that have nothing to worry about. My oldest daughter was lining toys up in a row at 1 1/2 and then saying their "names"...and she is not autistic.

Dont worry about it momma I'm sure he is just fine!

Answer 3

He is a boy!  My son did the same thing at 2.5!  He lined cars up, blocks, his sisters barbies, you name it...he made a "train" out of it!  Use this as an opportunity to teach him how to count!  Count all of the toys he lines up.  Before you know it, he will stop lining things up and will start building towers out of them.  THEN he will knock the towers down.

Answer 4

My kids both do it! They are both normal. I think it is really cute and shows lots of development actually. It shows that they are comparing the toys and can tell they are the same and different. It also is imitation play- lining up all the cars like a parking lot, lining up cans of food like the store does. Relax. He is totally fine!

Answer 5

He sounds like a normal 2 1/2 year old kid. Just be happy that he's lining he toys up and not throwing them.

Answer 6

My son did the same thing and it freaked me out when I saw a friends son do this and he has aspergers. And my son was a late speaker.

But I found out that a lot of boys do this. I bet he is just fine. but if you are still worried or if he starts regressing. Like not speaking. Then call your doctor. But at that age my sone was doing it also. And now he's 4 and rarely does it anymore and talks just fine. He is just keeping things in order. My son would line up all his cars and then run circles around them.

Answer 7

active kid just like i was, so it's normal 2 me

Answer 8

Parents like you shouldn't be allowed to have kids, get a life, seriously.

If a child is lining up toys, it means nothing, alright, leave him be.

Answer 9

If he spends hours lining things up, yes.  If you can remove him from the activity and he doesn't go back to it, no.  On the other hand, if it would bring you peace of mind, yes.  If you would refuse to accept whatever the doctor will tell you, no.

Answer 10

it is pretty normal, especially for boys.  My son still lines things up, and I have never wondered about autism.  My nephew does this alot too.  While it is considered one of the many signs of autism, I don't think that by itself it means anything.

Answer 11

try to demonstrate how to play with his toys and when you speak encourage him to finish ur sentences. I have heard that if you take these steps you can prevent autism in an early stage.

Answer 12

Don't worry, it's absolutely normal.

Answer 13

Watch my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbgUjmeC-...

Answer 14

That is normal...My son does it and there is nothing wrong with him... he's almost 2.  You son is just learning...lining things up is fun and gives him a chance to give things order.  

There is so much autism hype, it is creating a fear in us moms.  (I've worried, too).  I am sure he is fine.  Eye contact and physical contact are not problems for him, I assume.  Those are BIG signs.  And his speech is great!

Answer 15

It's only been a couple of weeks and there are no other signs. Breathe deeply and let him be a kid...lining up things--repetative motions-- are common in this age range.

Answer 16

It doesn't seem like a whole lot to base a diagnosis on.  Does he have a hard time listening?  Does he respond to you?  

It may be premature to jump to this conclusion.

Answer 17

Please don't listen to Miss Woo she is just plain rude.

Follow your instincts.

Answer 18

I'd only get worried about it if he's obsessive about it. From what you describe he's completely normal. Lining up things is only a sign of autism when they do that constantly and like I said are obsessive.

Answer 19

yes this is normal. hes normal from what you say.

Answer 20

You've gotten a number of good answers in response to your question & concern.  Sounds like your son is doing some typical classifying & sorting activities- appropriate for this age as discrimination skills are coming into play.  Also, his language appears above normal limits if he is using 6-8 words sentences spontaneously.  Repeating is ok...jumping around, well...that's anyone's guess. Does he make good eye contact? Does he engage with others, both responding & initiating interaction?

If these are all ok - really, no worries. However, if one of these other pieces is out of line or your concern persists, most definitely contact your local child find or early intervention office & request an evaluation. It's typically free & priceless if it gives you peace of mind. Here's a link for each state's early intervention agency so you can follow up if necessary. Feel free to email or message if you have additional questions or need more info. This is my work & I'm happy to field questions. Best wishes!

http://www.nectac.org/contact/ptccoord.a...

Answer 21

He sounds perfectly normal to me, and this is perfectly normal behavior he is exhibiting.

He is just learning that he has some control in the order and placement of tangible objects.  

It is actually a very good sign!

Answer 22

don't waste your money.  you're a good parent for worrying, but he's just a little right-brained is all.

Answer 23

A lot of little toddlers do this, not just autistic ones. I'm kinda wierd with this subject, and it seems that autism is a phrase kinda being thrown around these days with bi-polar and OCD.

Answer 24

Don't let doctors put him on drugs whatever you do. He is only a baby.

Answer 25

There is nothing to worry about. Both of my toddlers went through that phase and sometimes they still do it.

It's kind of keeping things neat and tidy.

Answer 26

Nothing wrong with that at all. You are jumping the gun! Kids will find a lot of ways to play. Try asking him to line up the toys with different colors (red ones in this line, yellow in that) and help him. He's learning. Help him to learn more!

Answer 27

He's fine, seriously, be careful listening to the so called possibilities, You'll drive yourself crazy.  leave the kid alone, let him play his way.

Answer 28

I don't know if it is normal or not.

But my little brother did the samething when he was a toddler.

He would take toy cars and other toys and just line them up and play with them like that. My little brother is 8 years old now and he is fine. I learned that little toddlers like to organize their belongings in strange patterns, and they think they know what they are doing.

=P

Answer 29

Of course this is normal.

My mum in law said that when her son was two he lined up EVERYTHING

from toys to food on his plate to groceries on the conveyor belt from the cart.

Blur out all this autism stuff it is all nonsense hype

My mother said that I lined up things, too. In the 90's it was ADHD/ADD

now in the thousands it is autisms-

Answer 30

Lining up toys is actually a good sign.. my son started doing this at about 11 or 12  months, he would line up his cars and even at a young age if you moved one (which was humorous lol)  he would get sooo mad.  All boys jump around and most kids repeat things.   But really the lining things up is just a part of development, he is starting to notice patterns and plus its fun.. i read online that lining up toys is a sign of a smart kid.  But it wouldnt hurt to ask your doc anyways.

Answer 31

It probably nothing, since that's the only symptom, but better safe than sorry.

You can take him. But repeating happens, kids want to be heard.