Ok as title states my 4 year old when playing with his cars, dinosaurs and tractors lines them up and when I ask him what he is doing he says "there getting ready to watch the monster truck show!

Today I have gone in there and his tractors are line up but in colour co-ordinations (blues with blues, greens with greens!)

Now before anyone jumps that gun and asks is he autistic, by far no way! My son is a normal four year old just like any other four year old and I think he is BRIGHT and very clued on. No he does not have aspergers either ladies

Another thing he does is most times (when he is not in a rush) takes his boots / shoes off and also puts them together very neatly.

Do I have a neat / colour coordinating little boy? The behaviour is not obsessive as I watch him play he lines the cars up, takes one for a drive doing a big 'monster truck' jump, puts it back gets another one announces who that monster truck is does the action and then puts it back (he is going through a monster truck phase since his birthday!)

There you go in bold thats my question!

Didnt mean to offend anyone! But I think some people might have trouble reading that!

My DS2, DS3 and DD does this too. It's so cute to watch. I can't remember my DS1 doing it, but he probably did too. It's amazing how upset they get when you move one of those cars by accident.

I think he sounds like a normal 4 year old.

My 3 1/2 year old does similar things while playing and has done so for a long time.

Definitely not out of the ordinary, not a sign of autism or exceptional brightness I think.

My 2 1/2 DS does this already. MAinly with cars, but also with Teddies or other things.
The order is very important to him - although I don't understand what it is so it is best I don't touch!
Sometimes he will definatley line them up in a distinct order - colour, size etc
He is obsessed with putting his socks in his shoes and lining these up somewhere (usually anywhere but the shoe rack) and this comes form daycare where they are taught to put their socks in their shoes.
I think it is normal and very cute.

My 2 year old DS is the same - he lines up all the cars (they also have to face the same way) and also likes to return toys to the same place he got them from. He's not doesn't display any signs of autism, he's probably more a little obsessional like his mummy!
I think it is just a normal quirk of their development rather than a sign of anything else!

Is he a virgo (August 23 to September 23)? Renoun for being precise, and having a fastidious love of cleanliness, hygiene and good order.
I should know, I'm married to one!!!

Jo

My boy is 2y8m and is very much like this. Lines up cars, textas, selects things based on colour preference, etc. Some days he only wants to use red Duplo or creates a perfect line of dominos across the room or does the same alphabet puzzle 10 times in a sitting. I think it's just his personality - he's very ordered and likes to be in control (and definitely not autistic). Also very particular about putting his shoes away and making sure no-one puts their shoes on the furniture! The trade-off is he hates it when someone messes with what he's doing.

Thanks for the replies ladies.

jo1172 - No he is a mmmm, Well March 22 baby. I have read his star sign and its suits him to a tee

I never really thought of it but I always put things in a straight line and dont like it out of order so maybe he takes after me

Good to see other children are the same!

I know a child who has been lining things up since about 18m. Does it to this day and he's 3.5. He's definitely NOT autistic and very much like any other child his age. Some kids just do it.

I'm sorry. What?



For what it's worth, I doubt yours is autistic. But what the hell makes you think that being intelligent and being autistic are mutually exclusive?

My son. Autistic. Diagnosed. Also. Apparently. Gifted. His teachers have approached me and informed me that the process has been started as they are certain he is gifted. And not just in one area. They said his skills in reading/spelling are unparalled in his grade. That his computer skills are years ahead of his peers. But that his mental math is phenomenal. He's been at school full time for a grand total of 4 weeks now.

You can be both autistic adn 'bright'.

You know. Just for the record. So you don't , I don't know, offend any of the MANY mothers on here with autistic children.

Chase is another 'line things up' child and they all have to be facing the right way, same spacing apart etc. and he melts down if interfered with.

Melissa did beat me to the autistic thing though: children with autism are very often extremely bright.

Why don't you try educating then without the horrible dripping sarcasm?

Mothers are mothers. We are not experts or even 'aware' of all possible conditions/issues children can have. If you aren't a mother of a child with allergies/ autism/ deafness/ ADHD/ heart conditions/ eczema/ asthma/ childhood diabetes are we really expected to know about all of these conditions?

And FWIW OP, lining things up is very normal behaviour for children that are not autistic. Both mine were obsessive about it. In fact Angus still is.

I would consider that a personality trait, rather than an indication of anything else.
My son did it, he doesn't anymore.

I get what you are saying there but try to see the other side of the coin hey?

The OP has naively stated that her son can not be autistic because he is bright and can do what (and I am only using this word to make a point but it still makes me shudder) 'dumb' kids can't.

Maybe the OP'er didn't mean to be so naively rude when making her OP. But to tell you the truth, it was the title of this thread that drew me to it.

This does tend to get the back up of a parent who's child is autistic, iykwim?

My 2yr old DD always lines up her toys/cups/bottle anything. Even at the Dr's surgery she will empty the toy box and line everything up, then crack it if something falls out of line or if something doesn't quite sit how she wants it too. She's just organised and particular, like her dad

Anni

Children with Aspergers are exceptionally bright and very often gifted in one/many area/s. They also love order in what they do. OP, is he a shy/introverted boy?

To me Hun It's a perfectly normal behavior and had it confirmed yesturday with my DS (3 yrs).

He lines everything up all the time, colour co-ordinates etc and Austism has been completly ruled out with my ds.

I think it's a very "normal" thing for all kids to do Sn's or not as their learning for themselves when they do it.

Happy Cat - I don't think the OP was trying to upset SN's mum's at all, I have had the word Autistic thrown around about my DS for the last year from so many people, that when you ask a opinion if a certain behavior a child is showing is of the norm range you get tired of hearing the same thing from everyone when it's clear that the child doesn't have SN's.


Hope that came out right it works the same way when a mother is concerned about something that isn't so the norm and they keep getting told their child is "normal" so to say which is equally frustrating especially if it's against the mother's natural instinct's iykwim?

Melissa4444- Now, now no need to get angry with me because of my sentence. My reason being that I wrote definately not autistic is because Im sure if I hadnt I would have had a load of responses such as "is he autistic", "you should have him assessed" etc ect so I just had to point out that my child does not have autism and does not display any other unusual behaviour.

I, like alot of mothers dont know a hell of alot about autism, and I was in no way meaning to offend [you] other mothers! So please dont make this into you are such a b**ch post for my title just made it easier for everyone to know that he does not have autism and I can say if my son is bright if I want to, so can you!!!!!

Octopuss - No he is not a shy boy AT ALL If someone walks past and he says hi to them and they ignore him he will yell out "excuse me, why didnt you say hello to me, thats so rude! so no very far from it gets along with everyone!

Obviously my son is not a NEAT FREAK (my oringinal question)!

Thanks for the replies!

Ok. First, I didnt' say I was offended. I said what I said so you'd know (and perhaps even edit your post) not to offend anyone on here.

Secondly. Yes, I understood the reasoning behind saying "He's not autistic". But. Your reason for insisting he's not autistic doesn't stand up. You say he isn't autistic becuase he's bright. That is the point I took issue with.

Nowhere did I suggest that you were a b**ch. Nowhere did I even think that you were a b**ch. And nowhere did I get angry.

Trust me. You'd have known if I was.

well you seemed it, even over the WWW!

I think you read into the post a little too much, I never meant to mean he 'cant' have autism because he is bright I was just pointing out that he has no other odd behaviour and not delayed in any areas, maybe it should have been put in another paragraph then it may not have brought you to write such a reply.

Thanks

From an outsiders point of view, I also read the post as if you were announcing that although your son may possess a common "trait" of autism, he most definitely doesn't have autism due to his supposed high intelligence.

I'm sure you can understand why this would offend people, and I think if anything you should be expressing apologies not excuses. We all say the wrong things at times, and I would think this is one of those times. Obviously your comment wasn't with the intention of upsetting people, so editing your post or removing the comment may be suffice if you feel an apology isn't in order.

FWIW my DS has lined things up prior to 12 months of age. Most children will display traits of the autism spectrum, it's only when a few of these add up that you should be concerned. It's also worth noting, that autism doesn't equal low intelligence. It's not uncommon for autistic children to be classified as gifted.

sorry but Im not apologising, I have done nothing wrong, read the post which ever way you want it, but I have quite clearly pointed out in my first post, third post and last post that it was not my intention to offend anyone just needed to make my point clear that he does not have autism and wanted to know if my son was a neat / colour coordinating little boy!

End of discussion thanks for the replies!

Ooh, look. The OP says it's the end of discussion. SO clearly, that's it. We're no longer allowed to contribute to the conversation.

Got to love that.

Oh no Melissa4444 end of discussion for me but you can continue to come on here and be angry and make a fool of yourself or maybe just vent to yourself!

i think it's normal-i remember having little rituals like that when i was younger and i'm not autistic!(no offence intended to those who have children suffering from autism) i wouldn't be too concerned about it i mean he is playing a game not jsut doing it for no reason. i think the OP was just looking for confirmation that what her son is doing is normal-take it as you will and start trouble if you like.


i think it's normal-i remember having little rituals like that when i was younger and i'm not autistic!(no offence intended to those who have children suffering from autism) i wouldn't be too concerned about it i mean he is playing a game not jsut doing it for no reason. i think the OP was just looking for confirmation that what her son is doing is normal-take it as you will and start trouble if you like.

Ah, in no way has Melissa made a fool of herself OP, I do not have an autistic child, and yet I read your OP the same way Melissa did. Whether you meant it or not, that IS the way it came across - that your son could not possibly be autistic because he's bright. I'm just glad that Melissa posted to set the record straight that autistic kids CAN be bright. Hopefully you've learnt something by this thread now - and I certainly don't mean that in a nasty way.

Yep, I also agree 100% with Melisa4444. I was getting so angry reading this thread with all the references being made to autism. How dare you? How about a little compassion to the parents of children with special needs. That's just plain cruel and thoughtless. I think this thread should be deleted, in all honesty. It's insulting.

There are other signs of Autism that you can look out for that doesn't include being bright and active. Agree with PP, I have a friend who has an autistic son and will probably get upset with this post too.
Your son sounds fine and a lot of fun. I wouldn't worry about it. But you can always get him checked if you're unsure

OP-your son sounds like a normal little boy. Lots of toddlers behave like that and grow out of it or go on become neat adults.

I wouldnt think he shows any signs of autism at all.

Obviously you don't know very much about autism if you think that because your child is "bright" that they can't have autism

I have a friend that has an autistic child and he is one of the brightest kids I know!

Sorry but I don't have a child with autism (even though my eldest is currently on the waiting list to get tested for borderline autism) and even I took offense to you post.

Also in no way is Melissa making a fool of herself. I would have reacted the very same way that she has done.

The only thing I can see littlewink is that your posts are coming across very condescending and closeminded.

OP you have described my son to a "T". Your son may be completely 'normal' (Gosh how I HATE that word with a passion!!!) but mine has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome - a high functioning form of *gasp* autism!!!

I'm sorry, but the way you have worded your title brought me to this thread The obvious capitalisation of "DEFINATELY NOT AUTISTIC" caught my eye and drew me here.

As I said your son may not be autistic or on the spectrum, however if there are other traits then I would suggest you bring this up with a health worker. My son's teachers didn't suspect aspergers at first either - mostly because of his intelligence and it is not a common diagnosis around here.

Melissa - thanks for your post.. if it wasn't you saying it I would have definitely jumped on board regardless... Original post and more recent posts were read the same way.

BTW suggesting mentioning to health worker if there are other traits is not a negative, it's to help your son and allow access to resources for help if it is required. It would be an assumption that as you posted the original post for opinions and suggestions....

My ds does this too..
He takes one car over the jump then does the same with the others..
So cute to watch.
My ds is bright and not autistic either

Just for the record an autistic child can be bright too!

I don't think being bright has anything to do with it!!!!

See. Told you I wasn't angry.

They're angry.

DD is 2, there is only one thing she lines up and that is her animals from her Fishers Price ABC Zoo. She loves it. I thought it was normal.

Kodi. It can be completely normal. Heaps of kids line things up.


It changes somewhat if it's obsessive. If the child simply cannot cope with a single one being out of place. If they have a compulsion that cannot be overruled.

Ok ladies,
Obviously this is an emotive subject for many of you. As you can see, the OP has edited her subject title and has re-iterated that she has not meant to offend anyone. I think the education about Autism is great, but please keep the sarcasm out as that does nothing but flame the people you are trying to educate. If you can't do this, I suggest you take a break from this thread.

Regards
Chelli
Moderator

Ok now ladies I changed the title because it seems to be attracting alot of unwanted attention.

I bolded the question for you so for the few that had trouble reading it might help you a little better.

Oh and I changed bright into just a normal four year old that can do anything any other four year old can do so you cant assume he may have aspergers, Id know if there was different about my son.

tygrays - I never said my son is intelligent I said he is bright - my meaning for bright is he has met his milestones on time and has not lacked in any area.



So what are you suggesting here? Gee that means all the other PP's who have commented that there children that line there toys up, and there is quite alot, may have aspergers and we all should rush to the nurse and be overly concerned because our DD/DS displays 1 trait on the spectrum? Like I said my son is a normal little boy, does not have any other odd behaviour, no he is not intelligent and is not an absolute wizz in a particular area (this may be the only other thing I know about aspergers)

This comes back to my title why I put it there, sadly it offended many, and in no way I would ever want to offend any mother who has a child with autism / aspergers! I think if anything they are lucky to have a gifted child who is going to teach them alot.

Another reason for my title a couple of weeks ago on this board a member came on here and asked if she thinks she should have her childs IQ tested because she is a very intelligent little girl. Then came stupid response such as "she could aspergers"

Obviously children can be smart and not have aspergers / autism and Im sick of seeing responses like that.

So please read and pick at my post for PP who are angry and have nothing else to do, but it was not my intention to offend anyone, actually I never even thought this thread would turn into something like this

Cheers

Littlewink
I'm sorry if you misconstrued my post No where did I say your son was anything be it bright, intelligent etc. I was merely sharing my experiences and was referring to my son. You posted for opinions and I shared my experience. You can't expect parents with children who have had similar experiences not to post just because their child has Aspergers and you do not want that mentioned. As I said, you described my son to a "T" - yes there are other factors involved - which is why I mentioned if there are other traits please seek further assistance!



I wasn't suggesting anything of the sort!!! Sorry that you are sensitive about this situation, however you opened the topic and posted on the WWW for suggestions etc... if you didn't want parents of autistic children to share their experiences then maybe you should have said that.



It wasn't your title that offended at all OP. It was your title that drew attention. I consider myself lucky to be a mother.. not so much lucky to have a child with Aspergers. To have this comment made by someone who has no experience of what we are going through I do find hard to chew. I wasn't upset at all with your posts until this last line you posted above... I love my son with everything I have, To the point that in a way I have to love the aspergers however would hand back the Aspergers in a wink, I do not consider myself lucky to have a child with Aspergers as he will teach me things.... that I find is an offensive comment, but that may just be me personally, I can't speak for other parents.

Somehow you have turned your thread into a topic that you didn't want it to. I never said that I thought your child had aspergers/autism and on what you posted he should be tested.. I said if there are other traits to mention it to a health worker - that does not mean testing!!!! PLEASE go back and re-read my post - you have turned something totally innocent into a post that from the way you have pulled it apart into something nasty and judgemental.

OP, having read all the posts, in particular your responses in clarifying your opening post, I can't help but think that you have made up your mind / know that your son IS a normal, neat and colour coordinating boy and you're just looking for confirmation that he is.

Perhaps the topic would have been more appropriately titled 'Shameless mummy brag post' or 'My son is so neat' I know I like to share the exciting and quirky behaviour my children display. Posted like this I don't think your post would have offended anyone.

You seem sensitive to the fact of others "diagnosing" your son. It's upsetting you're so terrified and against the fact that your son may be linked to autism or anywhere on the spectrum.

I wish you all the best.

~*Kathy*~



From one of the mods, do you have trouble reading?

So how do you suppose we're to reply to your post? Throw comments to the wind and hope you realise they're for you?

Rephrasing the mods phrase to a 'Personal attack' would be better understood.


I now believe that you really are a tactless fool. I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt with my informative posts. Clearly I was wrong. How embarrassing.

Kathy, what did you say? For the life of me I cannot see what you've said that could be construed as a personal attack?

I'm confused. What exactly did Kathy say that caused you to quote Bec's post OP?

Besides OP, I thought you were exiting out of this discussion? Didn't you say that a couple of days ago? IMO you've made things worse for yourself with the way you've edited your OP full of sarcasm

OP if you are needing confirmation that your son is a normal little guy please take him to someone that can give you a professional confirmation that he is doing age appropriate activities.

We had our son tested for Autism/Asperegers when he was 4.5 because of a couple of particular features, compulsive lining up of things was one of them, also he was fascinated by those oil and sand puzzles that you turn upside down and they make patterns, he would watch them for an hour at a time. We were told that he was at the younger end of being able to diagnose confidentially but testing would show concrete need for further testing.

What eventuated was that our son has an extremely high Spatial Skill, he was 10 last year when he was last tested and his Spatial Skill ability was that of a 13-15 year old. He loves lines and architecture, unsurprisingly he wants to be a Structural Engineer.

I think your son is doing well, he is at the age when they love to show how they know their colours and especially when they are at preschool alot of things are grouped to re enforce the concept of colour grouping.

Good luck with your little one

!!!!!!!

Yep this is my DS its hard on him to have a little sister wreching his 'lines' all day Lots of fights and tantrums His new thing is to go up wards. he trys to pile them on top of each other and the biggest on the bottom going up to the smallest. But DONT TOUCH!!! Or dont dispurb him untill he is finnished

Pead says that he will get arrond to his 'querks' once we are finnished with his medical issues

Yep OP sounds like your little ones is very much into his lines and colours. good on him for expressing himself. Yes its a normal behavior. No its not normal when its grouped with other behavior. But only you would know this

Locked on request of OP.