Three and a half year old repeating things you say / he hears

[imeanthatone]

Title has explained badly. But DS repeats the last couple of words of a sentence when I’m talking or reading to him and he does it with TV too.

For example the TV was on and someone said ‘the ladder is too short’ and DS said ‘too short.’ Then I might read the Gruffalo (say) and he’ll repeat ‘dark wood’ from the first line. It’s increasing and is near constant now.

It is bothering me a bit as I have a brother with autism who does this so wondering how normal it is?

Completely normal. Being Autistic is also a normal part of the human range.

Yes sorry - clumsy phrasing. But is it a sign of autism in a three year old?

My son was similar but he would also do it with his own words.

So 'let's go to the park (to the park)'

He will also repeat our words. Always in a whisper.

He stutters the last syllables too. 'I think nk nk nk' 'and nd nd'.

Combined with other things he's awaiting an autism assessment but I'm not sure whether he will get a diagnosis. Sometimes I'm sure he is autistic. Sometimes I think he's definitely not.

He is 5. Has done it since about 3 or so.

Both my cousins did this when we were growing up. They both have autism