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Behaviour/development

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Deliberately annoying behaviour DS7

3 replies

FlappyThing · 11/11/2025 11:50

My DS7 is going through a phase of being what appears to be deliberately annoying. He spent this morning answering every question with “Boo-bah” and repeating the same phrase over and over again to everything that his sister (DD5) or I said. Sometimes it’s a different phrase like “Poo-wee” or a repetitive song. It is driving us all bonkers like a dripping tap or Chinese water torture.
The current strategy is asking him to get ready on his own so no one else has to hear him. I’m also considering ear plugs for the rest of us.
I’m about 80% thinking this is deliberate and attention-seeking as he’s always looking for a reaction and trying to get a rise. It only happens in the mornings - he doesn’t do it at school or the rest of the day and is happy/normal in everything else. But I’m 20% worried that he might be involuntary for some reason. It doesn’t seem that plausible but why is he not bored of it now? It’s been going on for weeks. We are trying to ignore it but I’m getting to the end of my tether on this. Yes we have also tried consequences - removing toys etc - but he doesn’t seem to care. His enjoyment of our annoyance is greater than his upset about any consequences.
any strategy that could help?

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SleafordSods · 11/11/2025 19:19

For me your last sentence stands out. Could he be dopamine seeking?

It might be worth reading up on dopamine seeking behaviour and ways to help regulate naturally.

So things like a breakfast with plenty of protein, plenty of exercise and maybe having a weighted blanket at night and introducing guided meditation.

FlappyThing · 13/11/2025 07:01

That is a really helpful suggestion, thank you. I’ve just been reading up and it does seem to fit with his behaviour.

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SleafordSods · 13/11/2025 07:18

Absolutely no problem. Mine do this but they’re older so I can say “go find another way to get your dopamine hit and stop annoying your sibling” Grin

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