Just had a positive appointment re: ds2's button phobia

[Curiousmama]

Ds2 is 9 and for a number of years has had a phobia about buttons, won't touch them and doesn't like looking at them. I decided recently to get help for this as it's getting worse not better and also it may hinder him in the future.

He's already seeing a speech therapist at school and has had development problems. He is bright, very creative and dexterous so I try not to worry too much.

We had an initial appointment a couple of weeks back to decide who would be the best therapist to work with him. Today we met an OT and she was great. This appointment was mainly to get background on ds2 and the family. She also went into pre birth and his birth. I did have concerns here as was neglected during his birth and it was good to get empathy from her as she also felt I wasn't treated properly.

She asked ds2 if it'd be ok for him and I to look at buttons on the internet and decide which ones he dislikes the most. He was reluctant but I think he will do this? I won't force him though.

We should get another appointment in March and there could be other people involved as she knows someone who did a lecture on this very phobia and thinks he may be interested?

one of the other mothers at ds's nursery had a button phobia! i remember her saying her boss had put a button on her chair "for a laugh" and she couldnt go near the seat till someone removed it.

my son has a sticker phobia! and my mum has a puzzle piece phobia! i was wondering if i should do something about ds' sticker phobia, but he does actually seem to be improving a bit, he is also REALLY sensitive to smells. strange creatures these children aren't they?

glittery people can be cruel but I'm sure he didn't realise how horrible phobias can be.

I've just downloaded some pictures of buttons and printed some off. I'll see how he reacts to those as he doesn't even like pictures of them.

ggg I think your gp will be able to advise but if it is getting better maybe he'll outgrow it?

I have a button phobia and for many years couldn't go into a room where I knew there was a loose button lying around. Even now, when I'm much better, I find buttons make me shudder slightly (worse if they're small) and there's really no such thing as a decorative button for me. But it's one of those phobias people think it's ok to laugh about (as opposed to spiders, say, which are perfectly rational ).
Anyway a friend of mine's child had a very severe phobia of pigeons which was interfering with his life a lot he couldn't go anywhere there were pigeons, which is quite difficult if you live in a town. Anyway he was greatly helped by cognitive behaviour therapy. I wouldn't say he loves pigeons now but he can walk past them without any problem that's about where I am with buttons -- enough to lead his life ok.
Hope that helps

Thanks likeacuppa glad you're managing now.

The OT mentione CBT done low key so hopefully that should help?

I uploaded and printed off pictures of buttons and put 3 size A4 prints in the living room. He came in from school and looked at them and grinned He was squirming a bit but managed to look at one and point out which buttons he liked the least.

I'm thinking of using buttons in a game with him to see if that helps? Maybe make some buttons worth more points?