Play that is odd in intensity or focus?

My 7 year old son plays the same game with his toys pretty much all the time.  He builds lots of guys with his blocks and then he proceeds to have wars where every guy is broken apart except for one.  He then builds new guys and does it again and again and again.  This goes on for hours and it is very hard to get him to do anything else.  If we take is blocks away he will line up all his hotwheels and have a war until every car except one is flipped over and then he will line them up again and so on.  When we are in the van or in public he will use his hands to play war.  He is also very vocal with all the sound effects of guns and bombs and airplane and helicopter noises.  Would this be considered play that is odd in its intesity or focus?

[William L. Holcomb, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

From what you are describing, it does seen as though your son’s play behavior is unusual.  The repetitiveness of the play (both your description of him doing the same thing for hours and that it is the same topic/theme every time) is concerning.  You mentioned that it is difficult to get him to do anything else.  When you try, does he get upset?  Also, when he is playing with the blocks and cars, it sounds like he is playing alone and not in a social context (e.g., with you or a peer).  I think that you are probably correct in being somewhat concerned and I strongly recommend that you take him to his pediatrician.  It would probably be a good idea when making the appointment to speak with the doctor or nurse and provide some examples of your concerns (like you did in your question) so the doctor is prepared for what to assess.  A child’s pediatrician is often the first contact in getting additional assessments and help, if that is needed.  Also, what do your son’s teachers say about his behavior in school?  Teachers often have an excellent perspective regarding a child’s social and play behavior in addition to knowing the academic status.  I would definitely ask to speak with his teacher and just ask a few general questions about how your son is doing and who are his friends, what does he like to do at school, etc.  Sometimes children go through a period where they are over focused on a single topic or activity, and then it changes.  Given your son’s age and the description of his play, I would not wait to find out.  Talking with your school professionals and his pediatrician can only either alleviate your concerns or help to find help. Either way, it is in your son’s best interest to act now.