I love hearing these ideas.
But, I want to make sure we remember one thing:
These are obesessions and the only way to cure an obsession is just to transition to something more apprioate. Of course there are some things we just have to overlook, but sometimes these things become logistically impractical (ie. snowboots in winter). I think that catering to any of these obsessions is sort of sending the message to our kids that "yes, it will be the end of the world if you aren't wearing this shirt". I think the worst thing in the world to do would be to buy him identical shirts. (What are your plans when he outgrows those?)
For us, it snowballs: when I "get weak" and allow my daughter to wear the same thing a few days in a row, I notice that she becomes more obsessive with other things, too. She has made sooooo much progress and alot of that I contribute to constantly "throwing her curveballs". When we were first diagnosed we were told to "make routines, stick to schedules, and make her daily life as predictible as possible". Um, sure and then I'd better pray that NOTHING ever happens to disrupt the precious schedule! I think that is the worst thing I could have ever done!
For example, my daughter, since age 15 months, has obsessed on directions/routes/streets, etc. She would freak out if I said we were going to her grandmother's house and then went a different way: the moment I deviated from our typical route she would scream bloody murder (to the point that at least twice I had pulled over because I thought she was in horrible pain...car seat pinching or something?...that made it worse I'm sure!)
Want to know how we cured that??
We constantly change up our driving route!!! We change up between taking different routes through different neighborhoods and taking different main streets, too. I think it sends her the bigger picture message that "there's more than one way to get to where you're going".
IncredibleMom