5 year old behavior worries me
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Anonymous
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My 5 year old has somewhat recently started being finicky about things, for example, if water spills on his shirt, even just a few drops, he'll go change his shirt.
Or if he doesn't the outside of his bedroom trashcan, he will always go wash his hands. He barely washes them; I mean, it's not like he's scrubbing with bleach or anything, but still. I'm not sure if either of these means anything, other than just being a kid? |
Anonymous
| Is this new behavior? |
Anonymous
Somewhat. He has a couple other weird things that started around 3 or 4. Like he will only wear long sleeve shirts and pants regardless of the weather. When he was a toddler he was super messy and it didn't seem to bother him. |
Anonymous
| Oh he also doesn't like seams in his socks anymore. |
Anonymous
| Are these things interfering with regular activity? |
Anonymous
No, I guess they aren't. |
Anonymous
| It could just be small ways your child seeks to establish a unique identity and independence; or perhaps, mimicking behavior he Witnessed from those in an expanded kindergarten social circle without contextual understanding. Is your concern that it could be health related? The PP’s question on whether there is concern (and not just curiosity as a parent) about your 5yo is important to consider. |
Anonymous
| I’m a preschool teacher and when parents ask me if things need an evaluation or assessment, I always ask them if they feel like the behavior effects their daily life. If so, then it never hurts to get a professional opinion. |
Anonymous
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I would talk to my child’s pediatrician and ask for advice including a referral to a child psychologist for starters.
If you think something is off, follow your gut. Don’t let anyone talk you out of your intuition. |
Anonymous
I think this is a little bit extreme. Rushing kids off to mental health professionals at the age of 5 for any little change in behavior is not a good precedent to set. OP, what happens when you push back a little bit? "Larlo, it's only water; you don't need to change your shirt." "Larlo, it's a warm, sunny day. Go put on some pants and a t-shirt; you'll be a lot more comfortable." |
Anonymous
| None of this stuff seems weird to me at all. Kids go through phases. Could be anxiety driven, but not necessarily a big deal. I’d monitor and see if it gets better or worse over the next year or so. |
Anonymous
—washing hands for touching outside of wastebasket —needing to wear long sleeves and pants regardless of weather —needing to change shirt over a few drops of water —no seams in socks Op at age 5 there’s something more going on. Get on a waitlist for a developmental pediatrician at children’s or kki. You can always cancel. But I would get your kid evaluated before these quirks start interfering with regular activities. |
Anonymous
This is why there's a two year wait list to see a developmental pediatrician. 
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Anonymous
+1. My 5 yo has all kinds of finicky behavior. Her sister went through a period of pickiness about socks. It’s usually just a phase. |
Anonymous
| Had he had strep just before the start of the behavior? |