8 year old thinks he is a baby

[oldrosie]

Hi everyone, please help - I'm in dispair.
My son is 8 years old and he acts and talks like baby. He doesnt answer questions cohesivly and he even says he doesn't want to be smart! Its almost like he's given up trying to learn?! He does this baby voice when spoken to and walks round the house making baby noises! He seems to be doing it more and more. He can't seem to follow TV programs, conversations or reading for his age at all. Just gets distracted or hasn't a clue what he's just watched. Its extremely frustrating as a parent because he doesn't listen to instructions. He's started playing football for a local team and when i watch him on the pitch it seems he's just running about aimlessly and hasn't a clue who won at the end of game. I feel guilty because i find it hard to be around him because I don't get any sense out of him or i can't have a nice conversation with him. Does anyone know what might be going on here? I'm really worried! Is this normal?

I honestly don't know, oldrosy, it is certainly unusual. I hope another poster comes on here who has experience of children who are like your son.

There may be a simple explanation and I do hope so. It would be a good idea for you to take him to your GP and ask for a referral to a specialist paediatrician.

All the best

PS: Sorry, should have put 'ie' at the end of your name, not 'y'.

So is this a new thing for him or has it been going on for awhile? What do they say about it in school?