Thanks for these! I'm definitely going to do some reading on Montessori/sensitive period for order. We tend to be a fairly organized family, which works well for DS's current proclivities, but I don't want our reliance on habits and order (sorting toys in baskets, having him put dirty clothes in the hamper) to backfire and turn into the world ending if a car is in the block basket, or if daddy does the nighttime ritual in a different order. And for the record, I'm absolutely not worried about him being on the spectrum - just wanted to preempt that concern-- but I am a little worried he will be an anxious kid (ironic and potentially self fulfilling, I know).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My sensory-averse toddler has grown up to be a slightly less sensory-averse teen. Still has difficulty crossing his midline, working both hands in coordination, grabbing with palm contact instead of with his fingers.

Progress: going to pony camp and getting a dog. He now pats the dog's head with the tips of his fingers, and managed to handle a pony (sit on an animal and hold the reins and everything! He did fall off because he was holding the reins so loosely!).

And you know what? That is the least of his many issues. Sigh.

Holding the reins loose isn't why he fell off. You're supposed to hold the reins loose. Your child should not be using the reins (which are attached to a bit inside the horse's mouth) as a means to stay on the horse. You use your legs to stay on.

Thanks for pointing that out, but A), all the beginners grab onto the reins when they're about to fall, and B), I'm not sure he'd ever develop enough muscle strength to hold on with just his legs. As I said, he has many issues.

I think some of the jumps to autism or OCD might be a little unwarranted, depending on what specifically you mean, OP. My 2.5 year old gets very upset if the lid to her potty is up, or if her humidifier is off, or if her napkin is folded, or any number of small details she feels strongly about. She even insists on whether or not H and I roll up our sleeves or roll them down. I assume this is just her teying to exercise control and order over her surroundings and I usually indulge it. If you mean behavior like this I think it sounds well within the bounds of normal.

Typical for 2.5. Read about sensitive period for order (Montessori). I wouldn't worry, they get a lot more flexible around 4-5.