Lines
Lines, lines and more lines.
Lines of toys, lines of books, lines of any object at all.
Lines are a common theme for many people with an autism spectrum disorder. People with autism generally thrive on order and repetition in their lives (which is why structure is so important to them).
It is common to find that children with autism line up their toys, usually in an order that makes sense to them. (In our house we have lines according to size, or it may be lines according to colour, or lines according to ‘likeness’ of some sort).
Lines are predictable and ordered.
Lines can bring a sense of comfort and control - they can bring a sense of calm to the craziness and uncertainty of life.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:08 am
C never did the lineing things up, but we do have to walk and drive in straight lines!
Not always easy!
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 am
Oh boy can we relate to that one! Maizie lines everything up. Usually at the most inconvenient times too. Like books from one end of the room to the other just as company is supposed to come over. She seems to do this when her anxiety is high.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Oh yes, we do that here too. Not as much as he used to but usually he’ll line up some random toys or cars and trucks.