Is it normal to obsess about where things go?

Question

My 3 y.o. son was successfully treated for sensory problems related to his clothing and food issues, but now he is obsessed with how "things should be". He was told not to turn on the ceiling fan in the winter, but now that it's hot he freaks if we turn it on. He screams "turn the fan off" repeatedly until we do so. He says "it's too cold" which is what we told him in the winter. Also, my husband mopped the floor this morning and he had a screaming tantrum because the chairs were up on the table while he was mopping. He literally came unglued. Is this normal? These are only a few of the many examples. I'm getting worried and it's causing me extreme anxiety when he screams. It's now affecting my 14 mo old because she gets upset when he is upset.

Answer 1

First since he is already being treated for something else I would talk to his doctor. Second, have you tried just letting him throw a fit, If you cave every time he freaks it's only going perpetuate the fits. I know it's hard (my 4 year old is a HUGE drama queen). You have to remember that even the most normal kids of that age thrive on routine and any change can send them over the edge, which brings me to this. Have you experienced any life changes? ie: new baby, new daycare/school, loss of a loved one, moving. All these things can be terrifying for a 3 year old and he could be trying to tell you something. Good luck, and when he is being his worst remember that he can feel your tension, take a deep breath and even a "mommy time out" and try to see things from his angle.

Answer 2

It could be a phase of him trying to control things around him to make himself comfortable, but if he's that stressed out over some things and is unconsolible, it could be something deeper.  If he is obsessed with things being a certain way and you notice him doing this all the time with everything, even toys, you may want to have a specialist check him out for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  It may just be something that he has, which normal people can develop.  He doesn't sound autistic because autistic people just react until it stops, he's telling you very clearly what he doesn't like or want which OCD people do.

Answer 3

Autism could be an option- but dont assume that yet. It sounds like he just really pays attention to you when you say things. So instead of telling him.."We cant turn on the fan, its too cold." Tell him this.."Look, outside, feel how cold it is..brr, whenever it gets warmer outside and the sun gets really hot, we get to turn the fan back on so we can be cool." Just explain the questions more thouroly. It seems he pays great attention to detail. So when your husband has the chairs on the table, maybe he just realize they were not suppose to be there. so just explain to him that "The chairs are staying up there, so they dont get wet, and so daddy can clean the whole floor, and when hes done, they get to go back down on the floor like normal." Try these and if it doesnt help, you may want to consult your doctor. Good luck, hang in there!

Answer 4

I don't know how normal that is. I don't want to jump the gun or alarm you, but maybe you should read about autism?

I mean, maybe he just is very particular about what's right and wrong (if this is the case, you and his dad need to help him find the middle ground).

So, yes, read up on autism-- if it sounds familiar, then talk to a pediatrician about where to go from there.

Answer 5

He needs to be evaluated by a professional.  Ask your son's doctor to refer you to a specialist based on his behavior.  This has to be nipped in the bud for his sake, your sake, your infant's sake, the entire family's sake.  Please make the call.

Answer 6

He might have Aspergers syndrome. Take him to a doctor.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/asp...

Or maybe he's OCD

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessi...