Should this behavior concern me?

misses625 · July 2009

My DS has developed this obsession with "making trains" with his toys where he lines them up. If they fall out of place or he can't get them JUST right, he has a frustrated hissy fit and cries. Is this normal? It's weird, he doesn't care if his play food is thrown all over his play kitchen, but his trucks and cars, and sometimes smaller toys and stuffed animals MUST be lined up just right or he freaks.

hikerbeth · July 2009

My DD went through a phase like that. I realized it was worse when my DH was gone for business (he travels a lot) and it was her way of coping with his absence.

She still hates it when people dump out a toybox full of toys. She'd rather get things one at a time and organize them. She did grow out of the crying part, though.

soonergal · July 2009

Sounds like my son. He doesn't throw a huge fit, but he's totally anal. I just chalk it up to both DH and I being Type A's. The kid doesn't stand a chance.

JodiandMickey · July 2009

I think it's only concerning if it interferes with the rest of his life... like if he won't eat until his toys are lined up or if he flips out on you if you put them away. I used to babysit a girl with autism who lined up her little toys on the toilet seat. If you needed to use the bathroom she'd throw a HUGE fit. That's concerning... I'd say he's probably just a perfectionist and going through a phase.