Talking through teddies, should I ignore it.

[anonandlikeit]

Over the last couple of months ds2 has been increasingly talking through his teddies IYKWIM.
Since Saturday i don't think he has spoken to anyone, i've had a conversation with a dinosaur, a dog, a rabbit and a giraffe, who it appears doesn't like apple juice!
All quite sweet & harmless but he is 8, he has a good vocabulary but is a reluctant speaker in social situations & generally pretty quiet.

Should I encourage it as a way to build conversation, discourage it or ignore?
I'm really not sure how to paly this one.
Thanks

Has anything happened lately that would have triggered him to withdraw like this? Is Christmas maybe a bit too overwhelming for him?

I'd ignore it for a few days to see how it pans out, it might just be something he needs to do to cope with something?

Maybe 5ELVES, I hadn't thought of it as a reaction to anything as he seems so happy & smily while he's doing it. But you are right usually when he is anxious he does withdraw, often goes totally mute for days on end.

So maybe its progress then {optimistic}!!

School routine change, xmas etc all big routine changes, so maybe.

My ds hasn't got a great vocab or communication skills-he talks through teddies loads- all with different voices-I join in at times,he gives me a soft toy to 'be'- I use it to create social stories;get the teddies to enact what we will be doing that day- He will talk without the teddies-it's been very positive for him

What happens if you draw him into the conversation. e.g. "teddy" asks you what drink you like , you say "I like apple juice, what about you [ds2 name]?" etc

thanks intothewest, thats reassuring. Its all the same voice, no pretend play or real chat but anything he has to say or questions he has to answer is all through a teddy at the moment.

Not sure polar eyes, not got that complex -i'll try! but when i ask ds2 a direct question the teddy answers, held in front of ds2's face.
Although i did ask yesturday if dinosaur wanted a fish finer & ds2 replied (with the dinosaur infront of his face) "he's just a teddy"
We have had to kiss them all goodnight tonight though.

I would just keep an eye on it-it could be something that is giving him confidence if he is a reluctant speaker - does he do anything similar at school?

he doesn't speak much at all at school, mostly just to his TA.i'll ask her about it tomorow althugh he doesn't have any teddies in class so would have to find a substitute

{grin] at "It's just a teddy"

Did you get to speak to the TA?

The TA said he has been more anxious than usual & has been covering his face with his hands.
He has also been standing in teh corner of the room again (facing the wall)
So maybe it is all a reaction to the changes and more about hiding than wanting to communicate.
Maybe he's just developng a strategy at home.
She did say if a teddy helps him relax just let him take one to school.

Not sure if thats something I want to start I have visions of him wanting to take his entire bedroom - He struggles with choice so asking him just to chose one would cause more tears.
I'll have to give it some thought.