Obsession question

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Obsession question
9
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 11:22am
The question about obsessions below made me think of a question. My ds doesn't have obsessions on the same level that I'm reading other children do, but he does have things he talks/thinks about a lot. He currently loves all things to do with astronauts/space; HOWEVER, it seems like he likes to talk/think about it more than actually own or do anything about it. For instance, we got him a pretty realistic looking space suit he'd been wanting for his birthday. He was THRILLED but he never uses it. Other children played with the helmet a lot, and now it's broken. He was moderately upset but no big deal. Have you seen this behavior before? Why the difference? Is it because he's more NLD than ASD?
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
In reply to: hwife
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 11:29am
We have often said that Bobby is more fascinated with the idea of things than the actaul things themselves.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
In reply to: hwife
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 12:40pm

We've had the same experience with Nathan. We think he likes something...we buy it....and then it just sits there!!! Nathan isn't much of a talker. What he likes to do, is to "set up" the toys....and stare at them! He will play with them as well, but we've learned that he has his own style and his own way of doing things. Like, some toys are meant to be played with, others are meant to be looked at, and other toys he likes to think about....but not play with!!! lol

HTH,
michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: hwife
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 1:52pm

Yes.

We saw/see similar with Peter; especially as regards dressing up type of things.

We have gotten him spiderman suits, batman, storm trouper, etc depending on the obsession "du jour". He rarely if ever wore them. I think maybe it is because when he is wearing the suits, he can't see them, or maybe it is a self-perception thing. I don't think it is difficulty in roleplaying: When younger, he was quite an agile if inappropriately "suited" Spiderman in the mall, bounding around the place, bouncing off the walls and popping out from behind trash cans to noisily 'web' unsuspecting strangers (not all of whom appreciated this attention).

There are some games he has really loved. The "Star Wars" one which you plug into the telly, which has a "light saber" to let you battle opponents, was a big favorite. He loooooovved that one (and was hilarious to watch).

Thinking about it now, I think a lot depends on how suited (pardon the pun) the toy or activity is to the child's mindset and activity level. Peter is superactive. Anything which involves running, jumping, karate moves, boxing or falling suits him just fine. However that is only true as long as it doesn't attract too much attention. I think the attention thing explains why he was always 'undercover spiderman' at the mall...

-Paula

-Paula

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: hwife
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 3:59pm

What you said about Peter reminds me of Vaughn (my son)......he LOVES trains but he does not like riding on an actual train.....because he can't watch the train....he'd rather stand outside of the train and watch it (of course he has to cover his ears because the whistle is too loud and unpredictable.....hotes being surprised by the whistle).

Christie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: hwife
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 10:24pm

My son can be like that with some things.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: hwife
Wed, 04-12-2006 - 9:23am
Thanks all. I guess this is more common than I realized (at least with our kids). I like the toy library idea! That'd save a lot of money, shelf space and hassle!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2005
In reply to: hwife
Wed, 04-12-2006 - 1:03pm

Just want to reiterate what many have already said - DS Noah (9) is the same way - doesn't have obsessions but gets really, really interested in one subject...for awhile! Then he is done with it and on to the next one.

Some of the purchases which we have made and basically wasted our money on are: Transformer toys, magic kit, punching bag, telescope, science experiment kit, etc. and on and on

We are pretty good by now at knowing not to run out and buy what is "the latest thing" for him. I think he just is insatiably curious and enjoys knowing about a certain subject but not actually doing it (example: magic)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: hwife
Wed, 04-12-2006 - 3:30pm

Well, ds also doesn't have obsessions, and Malcolm (8, PDD-NOS) is friends with many kids who DO have obsessions, so I sure know the difference. But here, we have to hold on to toys he doesn't really show an interest in playing with at first, because sometimes a year or two or four later, he jumps right in with playing with that toy.

He also had a magic kit a few years ago when guys in my theatre company were running a magic show and showing him tricks, and he wanted to learn. Now, several years later, he is again picking up magic tricks and really practising and playing with them! but for several years, it sat on the shelf.

We had stuffed animals that sat for years, but now are all characters in ongoing imaginary play scenarios of Malcolm and his buddies when they come over. Good thing I didn't throw them out, a few years ago it sure was tempting.

Right now he is really interested in Pokemon cards, and the nice thing is ... his girlfriend in TX is out-and-out obsessed with them, so they now have something in common to talk about for long hours on the phone once they are finished with school news and besides how cute they both are and how they want to get married and have kids when they both grow up LOL! (OK, they don't talk about that every time and I'm not allowed to eavesdrop anyways... but of course I do shhhhh)

Sara
ilovemalcolm

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: hwife
Wed, 04-12-2006 - 10:31pm
Jake also is a planet fanatic. I just bought him this really cool solar system slide show with cd from National Geographic that I though he'd really love. Big Mistake! We watched 2 nights with both kids in our room and he loved it but refused the next night to watch it because he was scared. The funny thing is after only listening to the cd twice he has memorized about a half hour of REALLY INTERESTING INFORMATION about the planets including the slide numbers which he has taked about non stop for a week(LOL). I think his obsessions are his way with coping with his world and it just makes sense to him. To be honest he's taught me a lot of stuff I never knew about the solar system and Thomas The Tank Engine was really starting to get on my nerves(LOL)>
Teresa