DS is obsessed with numbers. Should I be worried?

[Choup1971]

DS, who is almost 4, has been obsessed with numbers for several months now. He can identify three-figure numbers easily, can tell the time on a clock with hands, knows the difference between odd and even numbers, remembers exact dates from way back, and can tell dates in the future. For example, he'll say things like "Mummy when we go to the swimming pool on Sunday June 10, we can use locker E12." Or "Mummy, on tuesday May 15 and THursday May 17 I was really happy because..." Or if I say "OK it's six o'clock so we should start diner" he will go "No mummy, no, it's six o'clock and 1 mn." And he almost always gets it right.

It's not so much the fact that he can do those things that is bugging me; it's his obsessiveness about it. It's as if he makes sense of the world mostly in terms of numbers.

We moved to a new city a couple of months ago, and it really took off then. Maybe it's a way for him to control his anxiety, I don't know...Should I be worried? He is quite anxious generally, and a bit obsessive too (he will repeat the same things again, and again, and again.) He also likes his routine...

Anyway, if you guys have some comments on this, I'd be really grateful, as I'm not sure whether to indulge him (after all, he really enjoys numbers!) or to try and really distract him away from them.
Cheers!
Choup

Maybe he is just very precocious with numbers!!!

On a serious note,does he show any other obsessive/repetitive behaviours?

My nephew age 4 has recently been diagnosed with a mild form of autism or maybe more correctly autistic spectrum disorder.Added to his mathematical intelligence he also has very specific routinised behaviour-always has to have a green cup and plate,always plays in the same way,has to line his cars up in a specific way.He is also obsessed with peoples hands and makes a repetitive humming noise when eating.He is a fab gorgeous little boy.

If there are no other issues I feel that you have a very bright little boy but if there are other pointers then maybe consult your health visitor.HTH.

PS my 3 and a half year old is by no means a mathematical genius but does repeat things over and over again ad infinitum

I'm not sure how much of a response you'll get at this time of night, so it may be worth while bumping it in the morning.

I realise what you're angling at, and I'm not the best person to respond.

Your DS is obviously bight, so while I would say indulge him with his number interest, try to incorporate other interests in to his life aswell, which I'm sure you already do.

Sorry not to be of more help.

Quite right,Lynette.I did not mean to concern you.It was just the way you described the number thing reminded me of my nephew but that does not mean that your ds has any kind of issue.My nephews' mathmatical abilities have astounded us from the start,but it has to be taken in conjunction with other behaviours.I hope I have not worried you unduly.

Wrinklytum, I think yours is the kind of reply choup was looking for.

my ds - 3.5 yrs - loves numbers too - not quite to teh extent of yours but always very interested. I would say go with it & don't draw too much attention to it - it will pay dividends when he starts school.unless he is obsessive in other areas then no problem as far as I can see.

Thanks guys...all very reassuring. Especially when DS reminded me yesterday me that he was annoyed on Tuesday May 15 because he had to have a bath then...

My dd2 is like this and has absolutly no interest in words , she loved the trip on the motorway yesterday with the speed limit signs and M56/M6 signs to look for

Blimey, when DS reminded you that he was annoyed on Tuesday 15th May - was he recalling an actual event or just attaching something to a date he remembers? Kind of impressive, wish I had that kind of memory! Although I could say I was annoyed on any day and it would probably be an accurate recall...