Severe attachment to various objects

[Guest guest]

My son (4, ASD) has a compulsive need to hold on to and often fixate on certain

objects such as different toys, or parts to a toy, or a CD or Video holder/case,

etc. The objects usually change from day to day, and sometimes change within

the day. The concern is the severity of the attachment and the distraction they

provide...from learning (he is in a VB program which started in the fall), from

socializing, etc. He will relinquish the objects sometimes if he can see them,

but they are still a distraction. We often try to " play appropriately " with

them, do VB around them, etc., because he certainly is interested in them, but

this is not real effective. He will often tantrum, or become very upset when he

has to leave a new found object (like at preschool, or the store, etc.) Or when

he is told to leave his object(s) in the car, when arriving at preschool. The

situation seems to be getting worse, and so we (his team) are brainstorming how

to " help " him understand that he needs to leave his objects during certain times

of learning, preschool, mealtime, etc., and reduce his stress around letting

them go. His VB therapists usually make him put them away during work time, and

they are sometimes used as a reward.

Have any of you therapists and/or parents seen this situation and done an

effective treatment? I would greatly appreciate any ideas.

Londa Corcoran, Portland, OR