Seems normal to me.
For alternative Parenting for the 'highly intense' child - try
Lisa Bravo's 'Transforming the Difficult Child Workbook.'

The trick is to not only catch him doing good, but to create opportunities for him to behave well and make a very big deal about it. Do this about 100 times more than you think any child 'should' need. Then make misbehaving very boring - yes you must say 'No' but 'go inside you and regroup' is about right for most of a 2.5 year old's crimes.

Smiles,
Grinity

Coaching available, at SchoolSuccessSolutions.com