Why does my son copy actions/gestures from TV

[adrianna1]

Hi

(I always repeat this LOL).

I have a son who has a severe language delay..but can communicate using gestures and so forth.

Since he was a baby, he copied facial expressions/ body language from parents, to hinge that he saw etc and it has never stopped....

He cannot imitate the words. But when he is watching TV, he would copy the gestures/ actions and mouth movements. i.e. He was watching Tree fu tom... so when Tree fu tom would do those move, my son would look at me, copy the actions, look at me again, copy the actions and it goes on.

Plus, when is is watching his favourite tv programme, he would babble to,copy what the characters are saying...copy actions and every time there person on TV is talking to someone. My son would then turn to me and then babble to me as to what the person is doing on TV.

Same goes with facial expressions.

Is this.... typical. It does make me laugh when he does this, However, he would never use...whatever he has copied from TV, out of context. So if we are at a park, he would not randomly use an action he has learnt from TV. He ONLY use these actions when he is watching particular TV programmes.

Same goes with MR Tumble, he would copy the signs when Mr tumble is signing, but would not use it out of context if he does not understand it. Though, he does the sign "Tumble", but did this when he was purposely making the ball to drop from the table and did the "tumble" sign. So he has the idea.

He is being evaluated for autism...very very soon. So wondering if it is worth telling them?

Thanks.

bump

Hi zzzzz

Thanks for replying

I guess it is some language thing. I'm just a bit nervous as my son's second ADOS assessment is tomorrow. So just preparing notes, which I can show them, about my DS.

yes, do discuss when ADOS is done etc.

imitating is a basic form of communication when words don't work. If your ds is trying to imitate (even at the wrong time), that is a good start. try to encourage him to copy, and to copy the right things at the right time.

My son has very sophisticated language and no language delays he repeats phrases from TV, even whole adverts.

But what's the difference between a child copying things for fun, learning or ecopraxia, because a lot of kids I know who are NT, copy things from scenes on film and copying noises.actions that they see on TV too...

Why can't I PM Adrianna?

@ sammythemummy Sorry I changed my profile name, because Mumsnet reseted the passwords and I forgot the name of the email I used to sign up with..even though I deleted it....

But yes zzzzz is right, I'm now adrianna22

I know this is a very old post but would love to know how your son got on I have a son very similar

@Irishmammyof3 my son is verbal but very echolaic. He will repeat words or phrases but in context. He loves bubbles and will say ‘it’s good fun!’ (A phrase from mr tumble). His speech and language therapist says it’s because he’s learning language backwards - he can say the words and now he’s learning to put them into context, whereas typical children learn to put their own words to a context. I hope that helps

My son is just gone 2 he has a few words that he uses in context I think anyways he says shoes juice and ba when he sees a sheep It’s all new to me he doesn’t point but will hold his whole hand out if he wants anything or to go outside he will pull me and stands there or looks at me he can copy me but not all the time he can do a lot of actions copying of the tv but like that not all the time he may have had hearing issues that wasn’t picked up on time it’s so hard to know wit him

I'm the old poster that originally posted on this thread. I changed my username over the years but lost my account details. But my DS is now 11- still language disordered but never stops talking (believe me!!!)

Thanks for ur reply just wondering was your son pointing my son would hold his whole hand out if he wanted something he can do a lot of the actions to nursery rhymes and copies animal noises and do try to copy A lot of words he had a few meanful words too i think he mighty be an language disorder also he’s very social and goes to a play group 2 mornings a week where he sits with the other children and stands in for circle time he sleeps well and eats well he blabbers all day long hes a lovely boy

This might be a really old thread. I really was Curious to know if your LO was diagnosed with ASD or any other LD. Please let me know. This sounds like my son to a dot.

Original poster :)

Yes, he was diagnosed with ASD. BUT! His social communication skills are quite good and has good social awareness. So I wonder if this played a part.

I have more than one DC now :D. Thanks for bumping this old thread, when I saw the title, I just knew it was me.

Yes, he pointed but this was quite late.

Can I also ask how long after he started imitating the speech came on? As my LO is really at the beginning of his ASD journey but he started imitating everything in TV and does not do it in other scenario only gesture no speech as of yet.