u/Weekly-Coconut4874

my son will be 4 next month and seems to have very rigid, OCD-like behaviors around objects. For example, at a crowded pool, he won’t enjoy swimming or playing. Instead, he becomes completely focused on every toy around the pool and feels the need to throw every toy back into the water. He’ll keep doing it over and over and gets very upset if more toys are left out. Has anyone else’s child done something similar? Was it OCD, autism-related rigidity, or something else? And did anything help?

My son is autistic level 1, extremely verbal/smart (reading early, communicates well, very aware), but also extremely rigid/OCD-like and hyperactive. I’m starting to wonder if he has a PDA profile because the more we say “no,” the more intense the behavior becomes. Meltdowns can last 30+ minutes with aggression/self-injury and almost no way to regulate him once he escalates.

Current supports:
• 12:1 classroom, full days 8:30-2:30
• Speech 2x/week in school
• OT 2x/week in school
• Private OT + Speech Tues/Thurs after school
• Play therapy Thurs/Fri/Sat
• School is currently doing a behavioral assessment to see if he needs a para for behavioral episodes

He is VERY smart and verbal, which sometimes makes people underestimate how severe the rigidity/emotional regulation issues are.

For advocates, BCBAs, or CPSE professionals:
Am I doing enough? Too much? What tweaks would you suggest? What have you seen help kids who are very intelligent but extremely rigid/anxious/aggressive during meltdowns?