3-year-old who insists on having us repeat after him -- constantly

[Anonymous]

The subject line says it all, but we have a 3-year-old (highly verbal) boy who has started on this kick where he dictated a sentence and then demands we repeat it.

The sentence may vary -- and is usually structurally complex -- but the demand for repetition does not. It is constant and almost unbearable.

He does have a few other obsessive interests and repetitive tics, but he's mostly normal. Engaging, funny, creative and pretty social (especially with people he knows).

He was evaluated at 2.5 for ASD by his pediatrician, and she insists he's fine. (Although I haven't asked her about this new behavior.)

Any ideas or suggestions for nipping this? I really don't want his 1-year-old brother to pick up this habit.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

"No, I will not repeat the sentence."

If you are in a good mood, "I'll repeat three sentences now. Go."

[Anonymous]

I would take him to a developmental pediatrician. Our pediatrician who has been seeing DS since he was 3 days old never saw anything and DS eventually ended up with an ASD/Asperger's and ADHD, combined type, diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like one isolated weird thing. One isolated weird thing by a 3 year old makes him 3, not autistic. Unless other stuff is going on (like rigidity, reptition) that is severely impacting his functioning, it should not be a concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sounds like one isolated weird thing. One isolated weird thing by a 3 year old makes him 3, not autistic. Unless other stuff is going on (like rigidity, reptition) that is severely impacting his functioning, it should not be a concern.

OP says he has "a few other obsessive interests and tics."

[Anonymous]

He does this because it works. If you said no, every time, he would probably throw some tantrums and then move on.

Obsessive behavior is very three. I would not take it as a sign of ASD. However, I will also say that pediatricians are not qualified to diagnose a kid with or without ASD. IF you have enough concerns that you asked your pediatrician to evaluate, you should probably see someone qualified in identifying developments issues. Since he is 3 Child Find is one option.

[Anonymous]

Just say no. I don't understand what the problem is. He's the child - he doesn't get to make demands. He gets to make requests, which the parents consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just say no. I don't understand what the problem is. He's the child - he doesn't get to make demands. He gets to make requests, which the parents consider.

If he is doing this due to a developmental issue, you will only be creating more issues by "just say no".

[Anonymous]

The problem is that one parent complies and one does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"No, I will not repeat the sentence."

If you are in a good mood, "I'll repeat three sentences now. Go."

+1

We have 4 yo twins. 3-4 is very repetitive. You set boundaries and make them adhere to them. You can start with more flexible boundaries and slowly contract them so that they learn to adjust to boundaries. At this age, they are just learning to push the boundaries in all situations to see what they can get you to do. So you set rules that will guide them to learn in social interaction settings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just say no. I don't understand what the problem is. He's the child - he doesn't get to make demands. He gets to make requests, which the parents consider.

If he is doing this due to a developmental issue, you will only be creating more issues by "just say no".

Huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just say no. I don't understand what the problem is. He's the child - he doesn't get to make demands. He gets to make requests, which the parents consider.

If he is doing this due to a developmental issue, you will only be creating more issues by "just say no".

Huh?

Anxiety disorders are commonly comorbid with ASD. Before you jump all over this, I don't know if OP's kid has anything.

Telling a kid with ASD to stop the repetitive behaviors or stimming is a good way to get an anxiety diagnosis in addition to the ASD.

[Anonymous]

Oh great, the "my kid has autism so your kid does too" mom is here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh great, the "my kid has autism so your kid does too" mom is here.

You did not read what she wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh great, the "my kid has autism so your kid does too" mom is here.

You did not read what she wrote.

Sure I did. Everything is autism to her, and any quirky 3-year-old needs to be dragged to a 3 grand evaluation.