Emotional G&T

[mousa]

Although my DS is intelligent, he seems to be extremely perceptive about other people's emotions.

I've mentioned a couple of things that he's said to his grandmother and his aunt, and they've basically refused to accept/believe that a 3-year old would ever say such things.

For example - extraordinary insights about people's relationships - who loves who and why. Which people are sad and why - which people are 'troubled' (in turmoil) and which people are 'trouble' (adults who misbahave - though he would never know this).

I am concerned because I don't want him to grow up being over-burdoned or exhausted if he's picking up on these things. It's getting to the point where he can read my mind better than I can at times, and I don't want to be in the situation where he takes it upon himself to look after me emotionally - although it is naturally very touching.

He grows up in a happy and loving environment. He's not autistic; he loves other people's company and being around others. He can almost psychically tell me things about eg his Dad, who lives a couple of hundred miles away.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has experienced this. Thank you.

He's extremely not autistic in fact! No experience but I research the area of cognition, empathy and theory of mind (the ability to understand other people's intentions and beliefs), that your dc excels in. This generally develops at around age 3 so he is not especially early but he is perhaps espeically able in these areas.

These areas are thought to be seriously challenged in autistic spectrum disorders - so quite the opposite. Like you, I might want to watch out for signs of over-concern and distess associated with trying deal with so much incoming information about people and their wants and needs.

Bumping this one. DD is 4 but has shown similar characteristics for a long time. Most recent is preoccupation with incident of person throwing himself on tracks which dad mentioned as cause of travel delay. DD wants to find out his name. I replied that we did not know it and she suggested that we check the internet; why was he sad etc etc.
Would be great if anyone has more info on this area,

Actually, Mousa your thread could have been written by me. DH and I actually find it quite scary. I suddenly remembered an incident when she was trying my patience (as usual perhaps bcos she's very chatty , strong-willed) and I was dealing with her baby sister and this 3 yr old (at the time) looked me in the eye and said 'you want to throw me through the window don't you?' which thought, in my sleep deprived state, had, albeit briefly, crossed my mind.