8 year old says random things

[user1490122538]

Looking for advice or if anyone is in the same boat.
8 year old boy will be so embarrassing in front of people. Family gathering he will randomly say random words/phrases that make zero sense. He is so impulsive.
also did it today having eyes tested just randomly babbles something for no reason!

Does he do it all the time in a range of settings and situations or just during social occasions or stressful situations?
It could be anxiety driven or a problem with impulse control.
Have his teachers ever mentioned it?
If he genuinely can’t control it then it’s more about making people aware and not drawing attention to it.
If it’s something that bothers him then you could look at a “ think it don’t say it” intervention
You will find resources online typically a thought bubble and a mouth. You then write out words or phrases to sort into what it’s OK to say out loud and what should stay in your head.
You could make some situation based ones e.g. for an eye test
Say “ Will I need glasses?”
“ Is my right eye best?”
Stay in my head
“ marmalade sausages”
“ smelly belly socks”
Just e.g.s adding humour helps
If he’s anxious in new situations you could prepare him outlining what will happen, who will be there etc. You could model and teach conversation skills and reinforce that it’s ok to say nothing. You could also liken it to reading where the words stay in your head.

Could it be Tourette’s?

what sort of things was he saying

I don't even know what he is saying. It's honestly so random. I can only describe it as a silly mood he gets into. Hard to snap out of it and I feel like others are judging him/taking the mick (older cousins). At school, teacher has also said he can get into silly mode and has to be reminded. Could it just be immature boy not understanding social cues yet. We've spoke to him so calmly about him but seems to fall on deaf ears! Have also told him off about it but he denies it.. will also do random fake laugh noises.

The random fake laugh sounds like a verbal tic, as I said earlier, this could be Tourette’s.

Im not so sure. Surely he would be doing it all the time?

Not necessarily. Tourettes tics are often a response to stress/adrenaline/nervousness. I would speak to your GP.

Do you see any other signs... It is a symptom of ADHD or ASD. ADHD because of the impulsivity and over share. Asd because of social anxiety and no idea of how to read the situation. My eight year old is diagnosed ADHD but the paediatric psychiatrist said he needed to be tested for ASD as well. He does this. It's embarrassing I agree but something we just calmly explain after the fact why it isn't appropriate.

Are you able to tell me other traits your child has? I have questioned so many times if he does but other than the silly moods he can get in I can't finger point anything else. He can sit and watch a film in the cinema, academically doing well, sensible, has empathy, can get annoyed but doesn't have concerning meltdowns?

Does it really matter? Can you just ignore and he will grow out of it.

That's why I asked if anyone else was in the same boat 😊 it's helpful when struggling with something to have helpful support/reassurance that that will happen! Thanks for your input 🫠

Ok so my child is exceeding the curriculum academically so I don't see it in terms of struggling to access the curriculum which other parents do sometimes with ADHD/asd. He is also able to hyperfocus if something interests him. He is constantly fidgeting, moving, interrupting, making random noises or phrases. Blurting. His mind is going at a million miles an hour. Which is good when he is interested and challenged. He loves to read and will hyper focus for hours at it. Which means he has a GCSE level knowledge of the sciences as an interest. Things like maths are also easy for him to grasp so he can do long multiplication/division/multiplying decimals having been shown once. Less good when he's got to stand in line for shopping and he's all over the place physically like a toddler because he's balancing on one leg and flailing about or when he's arguing constantly. He can also be very rigid in terms of right and wrong and has a strong sense of justice. He is right and every hill is a hill he's prepared to die on. He's very adept at masking when he's at school socially and covering overwhelm but can't stop moving which gives him away. And he will allow compromise with friends which is good. Which means when he gets home all compromise is off the table as he just can't anymore. That makes interaction with his little brother. Interesting. He is able to maintain friendships and play but he has little use for making new friendships unless useful. He can make friendships with children at soft plays quickly though. He can be impulsive and act before thinking. He has no verbal filter at all. Hopefully this paints a picture. 😂😂