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Original poster

child repeating words under his breath?

35 replies

bananafish · 01/01/2019 19:27

My 6 (nearly 7 year) old son has started to repeat sentences and phrases under his breath. For example he will say "will you play lego with me?" and then will whisper "play lego with me" to himself.

I've looked it up and it's called 'palilalia', but predictably enough I've frightened myself rigid with Dr Google telling me it's a neurodegenerative disorder, correlated with Tourettes, OCD, anxiety issues, autism, ADHD and a host of other syndromes.

Before I disappear down that particular rabbit hole, I was just hoping that maybe somebody else has come across it and maybe it could be a habit or a phase that he may grows out of rather than a 'complex and difficult language disorder'.

It's quite a recent development and I can't decide if I need to go to see the doctor about it just yet, but I'd be very grateful if anyone has come across it and could share their experience/knowledge?

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
bananafish · 30/05/2021 19:27

Gosh, this was a while ago. Just popped up again on my feed.
DS’ anxiety, of which this is a symptom, has increased, and he’s being assessed for inattentive ADHD and will start counselling in a couple of weeks.

I don’t think the pandemic did him any favours! As is the case with so, so many children.

I’m relieved that we’ve got this far fairly quickly in terms of a possible diagnosis but it is still worrying...

OP posts:
Bailey67 · 23/09/2021 21:51

Hello my son is 19 and he still repeats he says it out loud then he whispers it. Can anyone tell me if this is normal

Momof2boys1girl · 23/09/2021 21:58

Both my sons did this, the eldest has stopped doing it but my 15yr old still does this sometimes, it’s like he’s thinking about what he has just said. Neither have any neuro or cognitive issues

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VikkiBrook · 30/03/2022 20:19

I did this when I was younger.. probably around 10 or 11. I suffer from OCD, BPD, + ADD.
I didn't have parents paying attention to what i was doing, so your son will most likely be better off than me! Good luck

VikkiBrook · 30/03/2022 20:24

When I did it, I "had to" say the words a certain # of times, bc I had intrusive thoughts that ked me to believe I could change from happening if I did so. For example: if I didn't repeat 3×, my parents would get into a car crash. It's terrible I know- but I don't know why in the world a child would even think these things. It's OCD + it is debilitating. Just let your child know that they are loved + safe, and that they do not have the power to make anything happen or not happen, no matter what they do. It's a very stressful life living with OCD, and unless behavior therapy is practiced, those intrusive thoughts in the mind will always control our actions.

Nicj1512 · 24/03/2024 23:27

bananafish · 01/01/2019 19:27

My 6 (nearly 7 year) old son has started to repeat sentences and phrases under his breath. For example he will say "will you play lego with me?" and then will whisper "play lego with me" to himself.

I've looked it up and it's called 'palilalia', but predictably enough I've frightened myself rigid with Dr Google telling me it's a neurodegenerative disorder, correlated with Tourettes, OCD, anxiety issues, autism, ADHD and a host of other syndromes.

Before I disappear down that particular rabbit hole, I was just hoping that maybe somebody else has come across it and maybe it could be a habit or a phase that he may grows out of rather than a 'complex and difficult language disorder'.

It's quite a recent development and I can't decide if I need to go to see the doctor about it just yet, but I'd be very grateful if anyone has come across it and could share their experience/knowledge?

TIA

Hey did you find your answers ? My son has just turned 8 and I’ve noticed him doing the same and I’ve got all the same answers you have found x

Zobeau · 25/03/2024 07:26

My son has never had a problem with his whispers he is off to uni this year to study neuroscience so definitely dont panic it gets less as they get older and usually triggered by stress 😊

Original poster
bananafish · 25/03/2024 13:55

I did - for my DS, it's an anxiety related tic. He's fairly recently been diagnosed with ADD so it's likely a symptom of that too.

However it's a few years later on and whilst he still does it occasionally, he has mostly grown out of it. He's absolutely fine.

Every professional I spoke to about it said that it would resolve itself over time and that is what's happened, so try not to worry too much about it. You might mention it at any medical appointments he might have to put your mind at rest but I imagine you'll get the same response!

OP posts:
protectthesmallones · 25/03/2024 20:30

MaterEstIratus · 01/01/2019 19:29

My son has Aspergers and he did this when he was younger. He grew out of it.

Same with my eldest

Bedgers · 30/03/2024 18:59

My son has this too. Started about a year ago. Hes at Uni and its not effecting his life. I do plan on taking him to the doctors just to confirm its palilialia and nothing more sinister. He doesnt do it all the time and not everyone notices. Just once you do notice it becomes so obvious 😂

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