My daughter is obsessed with ceiling fans and lights

She is going to be 3 in just over a week. For the last few months she has been obsessed with ceiling fans and lights, and is terrified of noises. When she was a baby, she always liked fans and lights, and we used to lay her on a blanket under the ceiling fan in our livingroom and she would stare at it. She also hated public washrooms because of the flushing toilets and hand dryers. She would scream until we left.
Now, she has mostly gotten over flushing toilets but is still terrifed of the hand dryers. Also, when we go to the mall she will freak out when we pass by a store that's being remodeled because there's loud noises. If she hears a loud noise, she immediately stops and will not take another step, says "help me mommy, carry me" Every single time I have to pick her up. She does that a lot in the mall, aswell as always looking at the ceiling wherever we are in the mall or a store.
Today we went to a convenience store and she was staring at the ceiling, and again, stopped and got freaked out by something and I had to carry her out. Not even sure what it was because there was no noises, only thing I could hear was the hum of the coolers.
The other day I was mentioning this to my boss at work and she mentioned austism. I don't think she is autistic, she is very smart and talks a lot, plays just fine with other kids. Knows the alphabet and most numbers from 1-30. Knows all her colors.
Is this normal for her age?

The fascination with fans and light might be. She seems to startle easily. Could be so many things, or not, but would be worth discussing with her/a pediatrician (or two or three)---it sounds as though you are feeling something isn't right and I think parental anxiety is a useful indication of a need to look more closely. Also, listen to whatever she can tell you.

I will mention is next time we see our family dr. She also tells me it's a "scary thing" and when we play if I make a loud roar like a lion/tiger whatever, she completely freaks out and screams that I am scaring her.

I would also suggest talking to her pediatrician about these behaviors. They are out of the ordinary and so should be followed up on. I hope you find the root cause. Good luck.

Do let us know how it goes!

Yes, I agree. It wouldn't hurt to at least bring it up; and even if it turns out to not be anything, at least you will feel better in hearing from a doctor.

Have you talked to any pediatritions specializing in OCD at a young age. It sounds a lot like the symptoms I started with. I still don't like loud noises and have learned to tolerate them despite the anxiety. It's hard for me to stay calm when my husband is playing with our 2 1/2 year old, because they both love making loud sound effects (boys *rolls eyes*). As I got older I developed more rituals/obsessions. Change upset me. I was scared of people bumping my desk cause I'd have to reorganize, had to sit in certain parts of the classroom, would go in early to line up chairs and desks (all first grade), I didn't know how to express my panic in an understandable way and was often punished when I was younger (especially having to write "unflexible" over and over again). I was extremely inteligent and responsible which seemed to upset people all the more when I paniced, like I should know better. Some peopole in general are over sensitive, but the sooner you get expert advice the sooner you can address it and ease a child/person into coping with situations beyond their control.

And of course it could just be a phase, but even if that is the case, an expert might be able to advise on how to move through it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I'm not a parent so I don't know a lot about young children however I remember that when I was a young child I was scared of loud noises (balloons popping, thunder, fireworks etc.) I grew out of it over time (I am 21 now) so it is quite possible your daughter will as well. I had Audio Processing Disorder when I was a child so that could have some relationship I think. Maybe research it a little bit?

I don't really know about the whole ceiling fan/light thing. It could be just a faze or maybe a way to distract herself from noises. Good luck!

I do have to say those loud hand dryers in public bathrooms are enough to scare anybody!

I am a mom, & I agree that if you are sensing something, have it checked out. My son has "acute hearing" meaning everything is so much louder to him than anyone around him. So he is sensitive. That's okay, I try to accommodate that about him w/out making a big deal. I taught him to cover his ears an move away from loud things. I want him to be able to help himself if I'm not there.
He has a friend who would freak out, like hysterical, at movies, parties, any time things got too exciting. So, hyper-sensitive is literally just that. Good for you for paying attention! Good luck to you.

hi there - my friend Margaret Webb is a coach for moms of children with special needs (not to imply your daughter has special needs). her son is fascinated by ceiling fans. she is very knowledgeable. you may want to check out her website (you will need to google Margaret Webb as i am not allowed to post links yet!) sending you support!