My first child collected matchbox cars. He wouldn’t play with them by zooming them around or crashing them into each other. He mainly just lined them up. He loved lining up his cars and other toys so much.
There was nothing odd about this, to me. It seemed logical, and considered, and artistic. He was a quiet, serious, thoughtful child. I admired him and loved everything about him, wildly and completely. (Still do.) Besides, as a child, I had been fascinated not by my Barbie doll, but by her shoes. I had adored spending time arranging and carefully lining up her shoes. Could there be anything wrong with my son lining up his cars? It never occurred to me to even ask.
Lining up cars, you see, is considered a symptom of autism. Lining up cars, or toys, or not playing with them the way other children will.
The winter my son was three, we spent Christmas at his French grandparents’ house. My mother-in-law remarked upon this habit of his, of lining up cars. She has a degree in puériculture–early childhood education/care. She thought it curious, this behavior. This was the first time I’d been given a signal something was different about him.
Nevertheless, on Christmas morning, there were at least a dozen little toy cars individually wrapped and carefully lined up–gifts from her–leading from the Christmas tree all the way out the door.
I love my mother in law very much.
So, yes, long lines of cars. A symptom of autism.
Also a symptom of a thoughtful, considered, logical mind.
Also, autism runs in families.
I had my Barbie shoes.
My father has always compulsively organized and lines up the food in his cabinets and pantry to be “more findable and efficient.” He will spend a lot of time at this.
When does a behavior that seems totally harmless, become worrisome?
My second son’s school aide told me, the first time I met her. “Taken alone, these small behaviors are no problem. But when there are many of them, and taken together, they impact that child’s happiness in the world? Then, of course, we must find ways to help.”
A bigger set of behaviors became more apparent as my sons grew. Especially my middle son. Not speaking much at all. Not hearing or listening. Appearing always wrapped up in his own deep thought. Unique takes on language, on situations. No social screen.
These behaviors appeared one after the other.
Almost like a long line of cars.