Signs of Anxiety or a even more serious condition?

[MissOz]

Last August my daughter went through the autism tests and based on them she is not autistic. As some of you may have read in my previous posts, she has a history of poor back and forth communication, started to talk late, and is a picky eater. From time to time she has facial tics that come and go.

Having said all that, she goes to a regular school, the teachers have no major complains (except for not being at grade level in math, and having a difficult time finishing tasks). She was diagnosed with ADHD and takes Ritalin.

As of lately, she started to act in a weird way. Some examples:

1) she picks up leaves from the streets because she will “miss them”. Then she comes home and hide them.

2) We went to a pizza place and she wanted to bring home one little piece of pizza the size of a coin because she said she would miss it too much.

3) She tore a square of toilet paper and put it in her pocket because she will miss it if she doesn’t. I told her she doesn’t need to do that, and asked her to give me the piece of toilet paper, and she cried and cried, and said no, she would not give it to me... so I told her she could keep it.

4) She took a shower and filled a bucket with water because she will miss the water. I told her no. I told her there would be more water tomorrow.

What is going on?! Should I be concerned? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Paperplane]

I wish I had more concrete advice here. My son has anxiety and does take "tokens" like this, but usually of a predictable type (he collects rocks from everywhere we go). The level to which she's holding onto things would definitely concern me. Depending on the context (is anything else going on? Family separations or other emotional stressors?) I would talk to her pediatrician and see if they have a therapist in the area they recommend. Best of luck!

[anirush]

My grandson has severe anxiety although it is under control with medication. He also used to collect rocks and other things he would find. Now when he gets really stressed about something he will cry about his cat that passed away over 2 years ago. We have acquired more cats since then too.

Some children are more sensitive. I would consult with your doctor but this all seems harmless. What does it hurt to let her keep these things. Does she forget about it by the next day?