Hope I am overreacting here.
We have noticed the last few days not some strange behavior from our 3yo son Dylan.
Dylan is the middle child, his older brother is 9 and younger brother is 2.
He has all of the sudden started "shaking" his legs before he does things.
For example: We go to put his pants on and he has to shake each leg before he puts it in.
When stepping up to walk through our door he has to shake each leg. He will shake one leg, step in.
Shake the other leg and bring it in. Right afterwards, he walks through the kitchen and has to go through
the baby gate before entering the living room. Once again, he will shake each leg before stepping through.
So far, this is the biggest sign we see.
I'd ask him about it. "Hey, kiddo. That thing you just did, that's new. Why'd ya do it?"
Basically it seems non-harmful and it's not really getting in the way of him living life. If it progresses or he begins to show signs of stress prior a "ritual" then seek professional help.
3 year olds believe in magic and ritual. Don't comment on it, and it will probably pass.
I wouldn't worry. I'd say OCD should be on your radar if he MUST shake each leg and if you don't let him, he's inconsolable, like the world is going to end. OCD is severe, beyond just repetitive behavior. It's repetitive behavior where the child can't go on without doing it ... they fear what will happen if they don't.
Its just a phase.
He is 3.
They at this age, get quirky about routines and habits.
This one symptom is not an indication that he has OCD. If he were to have OCD he would be compulsive about many things.
I suggest that this is just something he's trying out. Just ignore it and it'll go away.
You can call and talk with the advice nurse for further reassurance. He'll need to see the pediatrician before a psychiatrist will see him.
Most likely a silly phase he's going through. If he gets attention for it- it will last longer. That is up to you.
My suggestion is that you write it down in he baby book so you can remember to make fun of him later, OR when his own kid does it you will have record that Daddy did it too.
Seems like a phase. My little girl is a few months over 2 and acts silly like that too. Hell, I think she's VERY particular! She says "mama, put your glasses on!" if I'm not wearing them on my face, but on the back of my head. or "Oh no! the crackers are all gone!" she jumps over cracks in the side walk, she has said some really strange things lately that lead me to believe she realizes her world goes on differently than what she thinks it should be. But your son on the other hand? Just acting silly. I agree, ask him what he's doing. I ask my daughter about the strange things she's doing all the time! She responds with a silly answer. We laugh, and she moves on past it. If he keeps doing this behavior, I mean, for a few weeks if not a bit longer, (because we know phases can last for what seem like forever) then consider calling a councilor, so you can ask them questions. Don't google it, it will just freak you out. Chances are, he's just being silly. :) Just ask him, and prepare for a silly answer. :)
It could be. Kinda sounds more like an autism tick of some sort. Watch his eye contact. Talk to his preschool teacher. See what they think. In GA the schools can start testing for special needs at 3. Your kid might require different tools than other kids to succeed. There is nothing wrong with that. Both of my kids have special needs. Both are in the 99% in smarts/IQ/capacity/understand ect. Ect. Ect. But as far as sitting in a room, doing their work on their own, not disrupting others, following the rules %100 of the time. All those things are coming along with the right guidance and help from the professionals. Good luck! Don't worry! It will be all good.
My son HAS to click the seat belt lock when he gets out of a car 3 times. He won't, and says he can't until he does. He also will pull on the doorknob 5 times when we leave to make sure the door is shut. He's 6 and has been diagnosed with OCD. he has done these and a few other rituals for a few years. If your concerned take him to a psychatrist.
