Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"We have a child in our resource provision that is obsessed with doors. He will spend his day going from door to door, opening and shutting them. It also causes great dysregulation, and he will often headbutt the door handles. Do you have any advice?"
Have you heard of schemas?
The connecting play schema often also incorporates opening and closing, so children might open and close doors or boxes and demonstrate great interest or curiosity about this. Some of the common interests and behaviours of children engaging in the connection schema may include building huge towers out of LEGO/Duplo.
We have a similar child. We’ve put toddler locks on cupboard doors that we don’t want him to access. Then, we are also offering other ways to connect things.
Other ideas;
Tying & untying things
Sticking and pulling apart collage materials
Zipping and unzipping a coat
Building and knocking down towers
Fiddling with clothes fastenings
Joining things together, like train tracks
Playing with magnets
Read more about schemas here: Schemas: A Practical Handbook by Laura England.
You might also find my Schemas in play training helpful.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
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