OK - so maybe this is really out there...but has anybody read the "Extreme Male Brain Theory" ???
I found it while looking into this whole "landmark" question posted by Tammy earlier ... as my son does something very similar (I just used to call it a "Riley-ism") ... and is ritualistic about everything, as I'm sure most of these kids are!! So while spinning is a 'comfort' of sorts, and can be replaced with other spinning objects etc. that sometimes needs to be done to be 'less-intrusive' etc, I'm trying to find out what the 'comfort' is behind having this extreme ritual characterstic...and how can it be replaced. (because, as you know, plans change sometimes, then what?!?!)
Ha...what I gather is that it can't...apparantly it has to do with predictability in an unpredictable world...they've 'created' their own predictability by having this routine in place, which certainly justifies the action of what happens when you interfere.
OK...so anyway...I run across this 'theory' and of course there are many answers to the theory out there too, although I haven't posted them (haven't read them yet)...but I find the whole thing absolutely fascinating. I've posted a link if anyone's interested. It basically goes into the diff between male/female thinking, and how an Autistic mind is the male mind to an extreme. (which made sense once I read it)
It's very interesting in my opinion....plus I think I accidentally ended up with the male mind!!!
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/June2002/ExtremeMal eBrainTheoryAut.htm
I've actually heard of this theory before, along with the theory of our kids are ina sense " the canary in the coal mine", warning us with their nuerological impairments, the devestating effects of toxins in our enviorments. i've also heard many people say that our kids are the next step of the evolution process( which i highly doubt) truth be told, i don't buy into many or any if all, i think if the could just out their money where the mouth is, we might be able to understand our kids,and possibly in the future, prevent and help the children already affected by these disorders. in a sense, i guess it's a good thing that people are actually talking about their "theries" now if we could get the funding we so desperately need to do all the testing and research.