Concerned

by Windy
(Florida)

I have a 3 1/2 year old boy who has recently begun to exhibit some concerning behaviors. He will repeat motions (going down a step and going back up to repeat the step). He will pick up an object or take one that is handed to him and set it on the floor (as if pretending that it fell to the floor) then pick it up again. He has recently started going down on his knees (while walking), then will stand up and start walking again. This has become increasing in frequency. He has also started putting things up to his cheek as if feeling them. I have noticed a lot lately that he will hug and kiss things (at first I didn't think much of it because he is a very loving child and likes to give hugs/kisses) but he is doing this with objects that wouldn't necessarily be typical in his routine, ie. with trees, the kitchen counter, etc.

He was diagnosed with apraxia of childhood earlier this year and has been in ST. He is doing really well. Last week his ST recommended an OT eval for possible issues with proprioceptive/vestibular functioning. She said that she notices he likes to fall down and tends to run himself into items such as walls, furniture. I've always thought it was because he is a rough and tumble boy (with an older brother!). She also said he likes to stomp his feet (I had just bought him a pair of tennis shoes that flash when he walks and he loves them!) so I discounted that for those reasons. However, with this new development of repeatedly going down to his knees while walking and feeling items, I am beginning to wonder.

Other than those behaviors described he is a normal child with no hearing issues or others on the various checklists I have found on line. Has anyone ever experienced a child with these behaviors? All of these behaviors have just started in the last 3 months or so. I am becoming concerned and almost frightened for him, not knowing what is going on...
Thanks so much!