The Child Who Insists on Pressing the Elevator Button

Some children have to press the elevator button with their own hand every time they get on. If someone else presses it first, they burst into tears and reach out to press it again, and some even insist the buttons be pressed in the same order every time.

What Pressing the Button Means to a Child

To adults, pressing a button is a small thing, but to a child it means more than play. They get to do it with their own hands, see the light come on and the doors move, and guess what will happen next. Some children actually feel more at ease when the same action is repeated.

So when your child insists on pressing the elevator button, it helps to first look at "What feels comfortable for my child?" rather than "Why are they so stubborn about this?" Even small ways of taking part, like pressing a button, are how children learn about the world.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-07

This article provides general information only. Your child's developmental needs and treatment plan are determined through consultation and assessment.