DS 8 feeling "lopsided"

[Strawberrycider]

In the last few months, I've noticed that if something touches one of DS's arms/legs/cheeks etc, he has to make sure that the other side of him is touched in the same way - today on the way home from school, for example, I managed to run over his foot with DS3's pushchair and we had to stop while he put the other foot in front of the wheel so that I could run that one too...

I have talked to him about it - he says he just feels really funny if he doesn't balance himself out in this way. Now that he knows I am aware of how he feels, he will ask me to touch the other side of him to make him feel balanced again, but if someone elses brushes against him, he will just quietly go and try and replicate the touch himself - he seems to be aware that this is not something everyone does.

So - do I need to worry about this / seek professional advice / go with the flow?

[thisisyesterday]

ooh i do this.

it is quite weird isn't it? but i don't think it's necessarily harmful or indicative of anything else tbh

unless it gets to the point where it's actually affecting his day to day life I would probably not really do anything about it

[fatandknackered]

OMG, I remember being like that as a child! I also used to count the steps I took to walk to the park, to school, etc.

I grew out of it.

[Strawberrycider]

Thanks - that is reassuring! Will try and go with the flow then!

[HappyDoll]

I do this too! And I count.

In fact, I had a rant chat with DD today asker her to stop counting things as we were in a rush. She said 'I'm not counting things mummy, I'm counting. [hconfused]

It's just an oddity, it may pass, or it may not. If his development isn't affected in any way, it's best not to make a big deal of it.

[HappyDoll]

If I stepped on one of those wierd bumps in the pavement you used to get, I'd have to step on another one with the other foot!

I also had to start every journey with my left foot and end it with my right!

Am I revealing too much?!

Can't stop...I can tell you how many stairs are in the buildings I regularly frequent, it's fun when that fact slips out at friends houses..."DD you need to go up the 12 stairs to the loo, yes I know it's odd that it's not 13, that's what makes (friends) house so special"!

[graceandbeauty]

Another one here. "Balancing" myself is a good way of putting it. I also like things to be in even numbers. I've done things like this as long as I can remember. I think my parents noticed it and commented on it a bit but never did anything or tried to stop me. I've always assumed I have a mild form of OCD - might be totally wrong but it's never been a big problem so I wouldn't worry about your ds.