Daughter refusing to speak normally

My friends daughter did this from 8-10 and it was SO annoying, for other kids as well. She was diagnosed with ASD at 11.

I’d play her at her at her own game. Go get some baby food/puree, the likes of the brown puree in jars. Take away any ‘big kid toys’ and see how long she lasts.

@Maryahadaballtoday

sorry to hear about DH's job. Are you going to look into unfair dismissal?

what was wrong with Llandudno. My friend loves it there & wants to move there.

I know a NT child that used to do this. It seemed like she thought it would help her get her way/get away with things because she was the “baby." I would absolutely ignore her when she was speaking like this and maybe a bit of extra attention when she's not.

Children are expected to "grow up" or else they are annoying or told they're being childish but their parent can be as "childish" as they like and can't be called out. Real hypocritical I think.

@Maryahadaballtoday

🍹🍹🍹

Boarding school?

just joking but you have all my sympathy. I hope she drops it soon!

Haunting I'm not sure what has upset you so much in this thread? You've accused OP of being anti-autism and insisted her child is neurodivergent

I'm sorry if you've had some bad experiences but all Op is guilty of is stating in her opening post that her child isn't neurodiverse. This is because, presumably, she knew many of the responses would suggest this

Saying she is being nasty by stating her child isn't is ridiculous

OP, my niece did this for 2 weeks and it drove my DB and SIL mad. Like others, they tried everything and eventually did as others have suggested and started babying her to the point of early bedtimes,suggesting she use the potty and mushing her food. She soon stopped

It's completely impossible!

Schools/teachers often miss autistic cues, especially in girls. My friends dd was missed for 8 years despite her mum regularly trying to get help from them. She was diagnosed in secondary school when a new senco listened to my friend and was really on the ball.

I wouldn't bother with any of this emotional blackmail stuff. Bloody hard but ignore the baby stuff ( I'm assuming its not 24/7) and praise the good stuff.

Isn't it pretty standard for 8 years old to act in a goofy and immature way? Would it be so bad to just let it be till she grows bored of it? Why does it bother you so much, OP?

Must be a thing with some girls: a friend’s daughter kept talking in an affected little girl whiny voice a couple of years ago. It was desperately annoying and I didn’t even have to live with it. Friend refused to engage with daughter while she was using the voice. It seems to have stopped since she went to secondary school, thankfully. It went on for a really long time though, maybe Yr 4-6!

With respect OP you say in your first paragraph that nothing is bothering her and in your second that you have had a terrible week, which you’re not talking to her about as you’re trying to protect her.

My experience is that kids are so good at picking up on unsaid stuff and the emotions of their parents; she’ll be picking up that something is not quite right with you

If she's just being annoying you have two choices- ignore it or parent it.

Say "ice cream is for big girls. If you can't talk like a big girl then you're too little for ice cream. Am i taking the ice cream away?"

Or threaten to talk to her in baby voice when she's with her mates? "Is vis how we want to talk in fwont of our fwendy wendys? Shall we talk like vis when Georgie-Worgie comes over to pway pway?"

Or just a conversation. It's fine to talk like that with your friends if that's how you like to play but I'm an adult, I dont really like this game please can you stop.

I know you're concerned about this because she'll be back at school soon but it might just solve the issue. I don't imagine she'll be doing baby talk at school in front of the other children; pressure to conform isn't always a bad thing when it's positive.
But then I don't think a child reverting to baby talk means she's necessarily emotionally damaged or traumatised in some way so could be way off with my assumptions.

We went through a barking "Pete the Puppy" phase I considered moving out. :)

You could ask to meet with her class teacher and see if they have any concerns. Going to the GP seems a bit drastic if this is just a silly phase. Sometimes the more you show annoyance and give attention to this the worse it might get.

They might have been private practice, so no decade long waiting list.

I very much doubt that she will do this at school in front of the other children (never mind her teacher!) - I would just ignore and if necessary not respond till she speaks in her grown-up voice.

She'lll drop it once the 9 years olds don't want to join in.

Hang on in there.

It really isn't the massive deal some people are making out. It doesn't mean there is 'more going on' it also doesn't mean the child necessarily has Autism.

Regression and being a bit silly can just be a phase. The essential thing is not to let it upset you, be firm that you won't respond to it, and carry on as normal.

Its how i handled children at school who did it (previously worked as a teaching assistant) and how i handle my own kids.

FTR, i have asd/adhd and occasionally do it on purpose to annoy my teenagers when they start their meme-speak crap, because it annoys the bejeesus out of them.

Can I just say the school holidays ain't no bloody holiday!!!
Parenting is so tricky.
The little girl has found something that entertains her and annoys her parents. Happy Days.
Can you get a break OP? Time away for her ( to be blunt!)

Oh my kids are from a 'broken home', must explain the annoying accents and them shouting skibbity toilet every 5 minutes 🤣