Is this a normal phase for children?

[DA1115]

Posting here for traffic. DS 8 is particularly anxious at the minute. He used to be so happy and care free all the time but he seems to be worrying about everything. He also has autism.

He keeps asking me what will happen if he puts a coin in his mouth, puts a phone charger in his mouth, touches electric with wet hands and saying he is going to do these things. I need another pair of eyes and I’ve hidden anything dangerous away.

I remember going through a similar phase as a child but I also have ocd.

So I’m wondering is it a normal phase all children go through or is he following in my footsteps? 😦

I have ocd but I’ve always thought I’ve hidden it well from DC.

Does this coincide with any safety talks he's had a school perhaps ? Or something he's seen on TV ?
His questions seems natural to me and if you address them as they crop up - and tell him the possible outcomes - advising why it's a bad idea- he may work through his worries? And not carry out the action he's flagged up .
After all he's had the sense to run all this past you worrying as it is . Another type of child who doesn't think as deeply might just do it without referring to you ?

Thank you. I just worry he will try out these things as he had little sense of danger and consequences. He is a little immature for his age too.

My son is much younger so can't say for sure, but my younger brother went through a phase when he was about 8 where he was worried about safety all the time, very anxious every time my mum left the house without him, he would worry that she wasn't coming back or was going to die. To the point where he would just cry and pace by the door until she came home. He does not have autism and was never diagnosed with anything, but it was a phase that he grew out of, and he is a very carefree and grounded adult today. Hope that helps.

Anxiety drives the more noticeable autistic behaviours, for autistic people they are not two separate things, so if you can find out what spikes his anxiety and remove or lessen those triggers, his more unusual or extreme behaviour should also lessen.

Similarly, immaturity, it's thought that many autistic kids (and others with co-morbids) and sometimes young autistic adults too have an emotional age around two thirds of their chronological age, so that can help when you're wondering how to explain things to them.

He will also be vulnerable and likely open to suggestion, I'd be wondering if a bully someone has been suggesting these things to him, to get him to do them for a "laugh" but it's concerning him and he's asking for your help. Can you ask him open ended questions gently if that's the case next time he voices concerns about doing something so dangerous. Something like 'Has someone suggested you do that?' or 'That's a dangerous idea, who told you about it?'

If you suggest something or ask if a certain person told him to do it, he may just agree with you if he's uncomfortable with the situation and wants to end the conversation.

You've done the right thing putting all dangerous objects out of the way.