Excessive whispering to himself

[UmYahya]

My 6 years old son is talking to himself constantly all the time!!! Even at bedtime! And if he wakes up at night he starts talking and cannot fall asleep back! Mostly whispering to himself! He make up stories, nonsense talk and gibberish words. He is not interacting with us, not playing with his brother as before. It's been 5 weeks since this has started. Also, he doesn't respond to questions as he is busy talking to himself! Cannot pay attention and laugh while talking. He says things like " Kung fo Panda ass did a poo" and lots of crap talk. He walks, run and jump while talking and laughing, nonstop! He seems entrapped in his inner space. We try to grab his attention, playing with him but he doesn't respond! He also stares to the space and to faces!

Only he asks for food/drink when he wants! When we force him to speak to us, he answers very short and go back to the muttering!

He is already behind and not progressing well at school. We believe that his is a clever boy but not reaching his potential!

I'm so depressed seeing my son like that and have fears that it's gonna persist! Even at school he is not paying attention and muttering all the time.

He has a referral for adhd assessment due to his impulsive behaviour at school, but it's gonna take two years waiting!

Due to the impulsive behaviour and not progressing well at school, he has one to one support and not working with his peers since the start of the school this year. But we can't see any progress in his learning!

I've just replied on your other thread.

Do they just suspect ADHD or is he going to be assessed for ASD as well?

Personally I'd push for an ASD assessment also. I know it's really hard at the moment but if you can afford it going private will be much quicker.

Caudwell Children can do an Autism Assessment and it can be free, depending on your household income. Even if your income is above the threshold, it's worth going through this charity as it has a purpose built centre and you should have a diagnosis within 3 months.

You'll need school to do the referral though. Personally, I'd ask school to to it tomorrow.

Does he speak two languages? Is he practicing his second language?

But yes, first thought is that he is neuro-divergent

Yes, two languages.

That centre looks great panic but it’s £4,700! Cricky

They will do adhd first then asd.

Tbh, I cannot see any autism symptoms with him!
He started eye contact at 5 weeks age, responds to his name, can held conversation with his friends and us, but mostly in topics that interests him. He eats everything and independent. Doesn't have any pattern in his behaviour. This excessive self talk just started 5 weeks ago. He doesn't respond to us because he doesn't want to be interrupted. If I insist he would answer shortly.

Also, he used to be very social, likes children. Prefers visiting friends house on going to shopping or park! He had lots of friends. The issue he was impulsive, but not aggressive. When he gets excited, he pushes his friends while playing in naive way. He thinks it's fun!

Now he is in a new class and works with his teacher only! Has no friends! 😔🥺

It is definitely worth pursuing specialised assessment but also do some research of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders) and speak to your GP about this.
He may have other underlying developmental conditions (e.g. ASD/ADHD) but a sudden onset of change in behaviour may also be related to a previous infection.

All sounds very typical of ASD OP. Sounds like he is high functioning like my son who was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome when that was still used. He still as a teen talks to himself all the time, he says it seems more real/concrete than just thinking it in his head (although he doesn't do it at school where it could disturb others).

My son was also very social when young, he loved playing with other children's toys at their houses, socialising got much harder as he got older especially when he started secondary school, he also prefers to talk about subjects that interest him - he can talk for a long time about them!

My son thought it was funny to trip others up when he was young, he loved slap stick and just thought it was funny - that had to be put a stop to obviously! My son is very independent makes his own breakfast and lunch and is very clever predicted all 8's and 9's for his GCSE's. He's very happy in his own little world and spends a lot of time in the school library, I don't have to worry about peer pressure with him, he's a very easy teen compared to me who had already started drinking at his age and going to clubs!

Let him be who he is OP and try to join in his world, my son sees words as colours so it's a pretty interesting world he's in. Enjoy his quirks.

The issue with my son is mainly inattentiveness! He is not very independent though! He still needs help with socks, buttoning shirt due to lack of patient!

I believe with Asperger's there is a pattern in behaviour or playing?

My son never held a long conversation in anything! He likes animals alot but if you try to ask him about it, he will answer two questions maximum then leave you!

Generally he doesn't like to be asked questions at all! Likes to talk but not listen!

That centre looks great panic but it’s £4,700! Cricky.

Free if your household income is under £45k though

It is definitely worth pursuing specialised assessment but also do some research of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders) and speak to your GP about this

I was just going to suggest going to the GP to rule out PANDAS as well.

Definitely take him to the GP @UmYahya if this has come on so suddenly.

I also think it's worth exploring the possibility of ASD. I know that you're saying you don't think he has it but lots of posters are suggesting getting him assessed so it does sound like it's worth thinking that it might be a possibility and discussing it with the GP and school

I totally agree with you, he had sore throat and low grade temperature, then this started! We did pcr for covid and came negative. I mentioned that to the gp many times but they don't care! The blood test showed high platelets count and the gp said no action required. We have appointment with pediatrician in December. I hope if he had it, it won't too late to get intervention 😢 it is so sad because my son made a very good start to school! Even his teacher got shocked of who he became after the half term break!

Thought about it, but the GP didn't do anything, they say let the padiatrician see him! It's gonna be two months before he will be seen? So I hope it's not going to be too late?

For adhd assessment it will be years!!!

Has something happened to cause a change in his behaviour? Death of family member? Divorce? Or something else major?

We had new baby 5 months ago, he became abit jealous but didn't show anything weird! Also he is isolated from his peers at school because he is on one to one support!

Ok so if he's had a bad throat and is now behaving like this suddenly I would get in touch with this charity and ask them for advice.

@PanicBuyingSprouts many thanks for the help!! Much appreciated! 🥺 Good bless you 🙏

@Tal45 Can you please let me know more about your son? When was he discovered? And what symptoms did he have? That would be really helpful 🙏🥺

Sounds just like my stepchild. Eye contact has never been an issue. Never a fan of unstructured or unpredictable places like the park or soft play with kids doing their own thing, but going to someone's house where there were just a couple of toys or could sit by us was fine. Constant commentary started at age 7. Diagnosed ASD age 9.

However with a new baby and very sudden behaviour change I wonder if it's more a behavioural expression of unhappiness at this big change? It often takes a couple of months for children to show their feelings after a new baby it isn't always instant.

@Jobsharenightmare Thanks for commenting. My son does liked the park if he has company! So if his favourite friends are there he will be super excited! He plays with them, throw sand on them...etc. He gets scared of the high soft play, but again! If his brother (5years) or friends are with him, he will play and breaks his fears!

Going to friends house is more than just sitting playing with toys! He plays hide and seek with them, jump around ... Etc! Although he sometimes push them or hug them. He used to hug everything when he was 2 years! Even the trees and the bin!!! Very emotional child.

But 5 weeks ago, he became more silent! Talking to himself and not socialising much!

New updates: I noticed that my son stares at his hands and turn them around while looking. Then he puts his hand behind his back. Sometimes, He wakes up at night multiple times to empty his bowel or for a wee, especially when he stays up to midnight laughing.

Please do comment if you have any info, I'm so scared that my son is having serious mental illness 😢 what makes him laugh a lot especially at bedtime! I tried my best to know why he is doing this but he doesn't respond!

Hi

My autistic teen talks to himself constantly, full conversations, laughing, etc

It started suddenly a few years ago.

I used to think he was 'practicing' conversations but it's more that his internal thoughts are externalised.

He always sounds happy though.

It used to really disturb me as I thought he would be picked on for it but as far as I know he does it only when alone.

He did get confused and upset when I referred to something I'd heard him say so I stopped doing it and just pretend I can't hear these chats he has with himself.

I read something about it being a developmental stage that autistic people may experience at a different time to others which I found reassuring.

He has good, though unusual eye contact. He is friendly and outgoing and loves an adventure so not routine orientated with everything.

But he is definitely autistic.

I do wish we'd had a diagnosis earlier as puberty and teen years have been very very tough.

We had a private diagnosis late teens cost about 1500 and for us it was worth it but appreciate not everyone has the choice.

It's taken me a long time to accept his diagnosis, because I don't want his life to be harder than it needs to be, so I understand how hard it is to think about these things.

But a diagnosis won't change your lovely boy, it may bring appropriate help.

Best wishes

(Ps I got interrupted while writing this so apologies if I cross post with anyone)