To Obsession

My son, who is 4 and diagnosed with Autism, has developed an obsession with women's toes. He will get under the table at school and look at and want to touch his teacher's toes. I wear socks at home to avoid this problem. Last night we had a family dinner and he obsessed over my sister in law's toes to the point where it was very embarrassing and uncomfortable. He is high functioning and has a bunch of therapy for years. Therapists say to redirect the behavior and he might grow out of it. We try to help him stay occupied with other things, but he goes right back to the toes. Any thoughts or suggestions>? I have found nothing to read about this anywhere.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

In light of your son's condition, the advice about redirecting him or distracting him is very apt. Such preoccupations or perseverative activity is typical of serious conditions along the Pervasive Developmental Disorder spectrum, and directing the child away from the focus is sensible. Another option available to you, although I would not push you in this direction due to your son's age, is to remove him from the situation and place him in time out for several minutes. While this has the possibility of teaching him to stop the activity, it is not likely to do so. However, applied in a firm but controlled, calm manner, it might be effective.