Question for child psychology types

[Turbineguy]

Grandson, 3-1/2 years old. What is it with these rituals? We cannot open the door until he rings the doorbell. Things have to be a certain way and no other. Stuff like that. What does it all mean?

[LeftyMom]

1. Control.

Kids don't have much control over their lives at that age, so once they start getting ideas about how they like things they're sometimes a bit fanatic about asserting them.

[Turbineguy]

10. Control???

Gadzooks! Let's just hope he doesn't get that from his Grandfather, that's all I have to say!

[datasuspect]

2. take him to a doctor immediately so they can prescribe psychotropic medicines

[Turbineguy]

11. Thanks

yes, I've been reading your posts with interest for some time now....

[Midlodemocrat]

3. It means he is shockingly, blessedly, normal. Enjoy.

[Turbineguy]

13. Whew!

[Bucky]

4. In the old days, we'd have a child like that lobotimized

C'mon, Turbineguy... ringing the doorbell is fun! You push a button and it makes a noise! And it's something only big people are supposed to do! And now he's big enough to do it---so how awesome is that!!

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Wait until he discovers the joy of elevator buttons.

[Turbineguy]

14. Actually,

he's very clever. A lobotomy might not help.

[Odin2005]

6. Asperger's Syndrome?

Sounds like me when I was that age.

[Fleshdancer]

7. If I remember correctly, it's somewhat normal at this age

Kids find comfort and a sense of power in these rituals. Most of us grow out of it eventually.

I wouldn't worry about it unless he was doing something that caused him harm (washing his hands until they're raw for example)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. Yes, it's something that's outgrown, unless you're my mother

[Turbineguy]

16. Hmmm.....

yes, well his Great-Grandmother will need looking at...

again.

[Common Sense Party]

9. I'd have to hear some of the other "rituals" he has

It may just be normal, quirky, funny kid behavior.

It may be Autism spectrum stuff.

We thought my son was just quirky at first. Now he's 16 and still can't speak. He has lots of rituals.

[Turbineguy]

15. He may have

ADD. It runs in the family don'tchaknow. The male line. The women are OK.

[Turbineguy]

12. Thanks to all for the views.

Very helpful.

[MedleyMisty]

17. Not sure what it means, but it's pretty normal

My husband says that his youngest sister would scream and cry if anyone left the house before she did when they went somewhere when she was five. They had to go in a certain order.