You mentioned that they exist as "properties" on a custom control... It won't see them based on how you probably created them.

ex:
This.MyProperty1 = createobject( "someControl", "ofSomeClass" ...)
This.MyProperty2 = ....
etc.

Since you are not adding to the current custom control, it doesn't care and will just shove the pointer into the respective MyProperty1 , 2, 3 etc.

If this is like the scenario you have, you may want to approach it as this...

This.AddObject( "MyControl1", "ofSomeClass"... )
This.AddObject( "MyControl2", "ofSomeClass"... )

Now, the ControlCount will see the two controls AND allow you to have an object reference to them via...

This.MyControl1.(some property)...
This.MyControl2.(some property)...

HTH