My 4 Year-old Boy's Behavior

I don't think, based on what you have said, that it is possible to guess if this is just a kid excited about his favorites toons, or a kid who is in need of greater intervention. You could perhaps try again and talk about all the things you're noticing, and what disruptive means in this case, and more people would be able to guess.

In any case, if you feel like he's developing mal-adjustments and/or there is a family history of ADHD or sensory issues or Autism Spectrum Disorders, it might be worth having him evaluated just to either calm your worries or get him assistance.

All kids do some of this in my experience. But like with many things, how much and what other signs of non-adjustment will tell you a great deal more about whether it's normal or not. There isn't a symptom of ADHD, for example, that a normal person doesn't have at least once in a while (usually when tired). It's the magnitude, frequency and disruption of their life that are the measure of whether it is a disorder or not. Whether they are having to fight it constantly and losing a lot becomes the basis to diagnose them.

My son wore a cape everywhere for about a year and introduced himself as Luke Skywalker. (I drew the line at carrying the light saber for safety reasons.I explained it was part of the Jedi rules.) By the time he turned 5, he stopped wanting to wear or be anything else in public. I remember the day he wore his last costume out. He became self-conscious and aware of others looking at him. At his new school, he changed his name weekly. The teachers and I agreed that if he can spell it on his paper he can be whatever he wants. Once we stopped making an issue of these things and accepted him as whatever character it all faded away. It sounds like your son is shy and using being a lion to help cope. I agree with an earlier poster that said it may help to tell your lion there are polite lion behaviors expected. Being obsessive about books and/or TV is pretty normal for kids this age. I would let them watch whatever they were obsessed with but have timer set for 30 minutes. Instead of taking it away, explore his obsessions in other forms (you may be able to find a children's book about a polite lion), make up games to play outside, or use it as a learning tool. Treat him like a lion, have fun with it. It will fade or morph into something else. If you take it away or make rules about it than you create the forbidden fruit. If you accept it and guide it, than it will quietly fall away. My oldest son would have been considered Asperger's at this age, but our doctor advised avoiding this diagnosis until after they are 6 years old. He is 6 now, and almost all of the behaviors have mellowed or gone away. I understand it can try your patience but there is a part of it that is very normal.

Spend some one on one time doing something you both enjoy. Is he watching too much TV for his age? YOu need to restrict and may be find activities away from the house and TV/Computer to do with him. GO to the library or zoo or something that forces him to focus on something else. Swimming lessons? If you have tried involving him other things and it does not change then see you pediatrician first. Only you know what is going on in your house. Every child is different and we have to remember that our child has his own interests and his own personality. I think a lot of boys are like what you describe. Maybe not the disruptive. Get hm involved in a sport or karate or something to balance off his imagination and the real world.

If it makes you feel better my 4 year son has been introducing himself as "Spiderman" when people ask his name. Before that he was the car in the Cars movie. He is an extrovert and talks to anyone and everyone (which presents a whole other set of problems). It hasn't been too disruptive for us since it is not like he can sit still long anyway. Maybe you can teach him to be a polite lion and purr (or read about lions and figure out something else)?

How is he doing socially? I know you said he's shy, but does he play with friends? Does he do well in other situations? My daughter went through this phase also. At the time, we thought she was imaginative and quite the actress. When we had her assessed, the psychologist told us she was simply scripting. We had to start working on getting her to play more imaginatively. She also had to learn boundaries, such as going by her real name at school, etc.

She had a ton of other issues when we got her assessed, however. The scripting was the least of it. She wasn't that interactive with her friends, she had a horrible time with transitions, and was overall just very inflexible. It turned out she had Asperger's.

If your son is fine in every other way, then just focus on setting boundaries on when he can be other characters.

C.
www.littlebitquirky.blogspot.com

a couple thoughts from a mom of a shy boy. if he is having a hard time "performing" socially (because that is what we expect them to do), acting like a lion is something he knows how to do. i can see the logic in, if you don't know how to react or what to say/do, go with what you know. are things stable at home, in his life? have there been any upheavals lately? the disruptive behavior at school and church could have something to do with changes in his life lately. if you look at his life and there doesn't seem to be any trigger or any new circumstances he might be dealing with, then maybe talk to his dr. but my son is 3 1/2, and we recently started him in preschool, a new sunday school, AND tumbling class - and i thought i would lose my mind. he was disruptive, antsy, wouldn't stand in line, wouldn't wait his turn, bouncing off the walls and just completely disruptive. but he is settling down now. kids this age have SO much energy. hope this helps.

I would find a developmental pediatrician and have your son evaluated just to make sure he does not have Aspergers. My son was diagnosed at 4 1/2 and he had the obsessive tendencies about TV shows. He is currently 8 and has to watch "Brainsurge" on Nickelodeon every day after school. If we're not going to be home when it is on he'll ask me repeatedly if it's recording. Sometimes he doesn't even remember to watch the recording when we get home, but it's an anxiety issue for him where he has to know that it is being recorded and that he's not "missing" something.

Good luck,
K.