6 y.o. repeating sentences to herself

[Anonymous]

We've recently noticed that our six-year-old daughter repeats herself (quietly, to herself) when relating a story or answering a question. She doesn't do it all the time, and it seems to be limited to certain situations. (For example, if you ask her what she wants for breakfast, she's fine. If you asked her what they talked about in school today, she'll say "We learned about different types of mammals (different types of mammals.)" Sometimes she'll repeat the whole sentence, other times just a fragment. I'm going to ask about it at her next well visit in a few months, but has anyone experienced this with their child? Is it a phase? Anything to worry about? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, I do this to (did it more as a kid), and I noticed my son also does it. We're both perfectly healthy and normal. I think it's a sort of subconscious check on our social performance.

[Anonymous]

Brick. Who I adored. (On the Middle).

I have known a few kids who did this -- they all grew out of it.

[Anonymous]

Pheww, and I started worrying when my 3 year old was doing it. I am not alone!

[Anonymous]

Does she seem to do it as a way to quell anxiety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, I do this to (did it more as a kid), and I noticed my son also does it. We're both perfectly healthy and normal. I think it's a sort of subconscious check on our social performance.

That's an astute observation! Kind of like the way I obsessively look at my sent emails to see how they look once sent.

[Anonymous]

She is rehersing or (for lack of a better term) Post-hersing.

My DD did the same thing while in K.

Either that or she has serious developmental issues....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she seem to do it as a way to quell anxiety?

I don't think so, but I'm going to have to think some more about the circumstances when I notice it. She's not a nervous kid overall, but she can get sort of Type-A about academics. (I use that word loosely. She's in K.) It does come up mostly when she's relating information about school, I think.

[Anonymous]

It's called Palilalia. My son had Echolalia, repeating our words, for a short period of time.

My son does have mild anxieties (related to school) and it was more anxiety related. May, September and December are the highest stress months for school.

I would mention it at your next well doctor visit and keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a bit of anxiety/OCD. Something to watch but not something to panic over! FWIW if your daughter turns out to be anxious, this can be treated very effectively in kids using cognitive behavioral therapy. It worked well for my smart, anxious daughter! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I used to do this at the same age, for me it was OCD related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brick. Who I adored. (On the Middle).

I have known a few kids who did this -- they all grew out of it.

Exactly what I was thinking!! Not to make light of this, op, but you should really check out an episode of this show. The youngest kid does this and they make it really funny/cute.

[Anonymous]

A lot of kids do this, OP.

[Anonymous]

We call is "doing a Brick" here. My very typical, un-anxious son does it. I'll probably be sad when he grows out of it.

[Anonymous]

My son does this as well. He probably started around age 4. He is now 10. He has been diagnosed with major anxiety and OCD. We tried CBT as well for a few years and had no success. He had to be put on Zoloft and it has worked miracles. Keep in mind though that he had dozens of other things he did repetitively that interfered with his everyday life. If he was just repeating things every so often we would have just dealt with it. His OCD rituals became so disruptive to his home and school life (and made him FURIOUS) that we had to do something.