It is common with kids who have ADHD like one of mine. Kids without ADHD also do this, like my niece. She is now a NT, typical teen who doesn't talk much at all anymore.

I had a kid like this. We realized he wanted to talk but he didn’t actually care that much if we listened. It actually made it much easier when we had a shared expectations about whether listening was required.

He is now a normal, well adjusted high schooler. Very extroverted. No ADHD or other neurodiverse traits.

My husband was like this as a kid. I once asked his mom what his main interests were he was very young, like was he obsessed with trains or with construction vehicles or with dinosaurs? Her response was "Talking to adults. He just loved to yap and yap and talk to anyone about anything." He's one of the most social people I know- the 'makes friends with strangers during a 15 second elevator ride' type. COVID was hard when he was home all day with no one to talk to but me lol. He's someone who needs to be in an office with people to talk to. He's very well liked all around. I do think there is some undiagnosed ADHD there but he's very high functioning so it hasn't been explored.

He's trying to connect with you but you're a brick wall, perhaps? Kids are very perceptive. They know.

Anonymous wrote:This is my kid! I think his dad was the same way (even though he claims he wasn't), because his dad talked WAY more than I wanted when we first started dating. I think both of them have ADHD (neither has been tested), but the productive, driven-by-a-motor kind.

I put my son in an advanced STEM class (to tired out his brain) and 1 or 2 sport activities per season (to tire out his body) and that has helped a lot. We also had to shut him down at some points during age 5-7. He needs to learn appropriate amounts and times to talk! Healthy eating, plenty of sleep and rest, and very minimal screen time also help.

I have this kind of kid, too, and I agree that keeping them very busy helps a lot! He's in a school with a lot of HW and he is tired out, in a good way (and learning!)

This is healthy and normal for a 5-year-old

ADHD

Teach your child how to have conversations. Also, may want to bring it up to his Dr.. Possibly have your child tested.

I was going to say consider ADHD also, based on my similar child. But if it’s not causing a problem socially or academically I would let it be for now, just keep it in mind if other challenges pop up.

Anonymous wrote:So mine turned out to have ADHD. His third grade teacher wondered if the constant talking (you don’t even have to be there; he will just talk to himself/narrate every thought he has) could be dopamine-seeking behavior. We do notice it decreases substantially when he takes his medication.

It’s pretty funny— he will act out epic narratives while brushing his teeth. We wind up yelling “LESS TALKING MORE BRUSHING” across the house every morning.

Otherwise, he’s quirky and a picky eater but no other issues.

Mine has adhd too.

Yes, kid had ADHD and a 99% verbal IQ...and dyslexia. The "conversing" enabled him to cover up the dyslexia. It was was like a be-the-teacher pet superpower for attention and accomodation.
Think of dyslexia like a neurological hypermobility in the language area of the brain. You get the kid privately evaluated for dyslexia when he knows sounds and letters to see if he is switching things up. This sounds like a kid smart enough to hide it the way mine did. Yes, choir is great too!

Sounds like my 9 yo daughter with ADHD. The Hyperactive in ADHD doesn't have to be the climbing-the-walls kind of thing. It can be too much behavior of any kind including being hyperverbal. Medication helps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting there are so many replies suggest ADHD. I guess I never considered that. He is in preschool and has no issues there, so I don't think it's that he doesn't know how to behave or can't stop and pay attention.

And yes he does know how to ask questions and have a back and forth. He is not just talking by himself. He will talk about something, then ask for affirmation and input constantly, like "that was rude, wasn't it?" "That's so funny right?" "Did you like that Mommy?". I might actually prefer it if he just droned on and on by himself but he actually waits for me to respond and act totally engrossed.

You still haven’t said what he does with WH questions, how many can he answer- what type, how he answers novel questions, if he can recall events, can he ask and answer multiple questions about preferred and non-preferred topics, etc. How he does with those things are the lynchpin here to determine if he maybe needs evaluation. Since you don’t want to answer for whatever reason, then get him evaluated.

Sorry I was a bit confused by these questions. Yes he can answer What where why questions, if that's what you mean. Not sure by novel questions. He can keep a normal conversation, though his answers tends towards the silly because he is trying to be funny and get attention. Also not sure what you mean by non preferred topics, like if I change topics? He follows, as long as I am still talking to him. I am not getting the sense that he has autism or ADHD. His behavior is totally controlled and voluntary. He can shut up when he is in an uncomfortable or new environment. He just prefers to converse a lot in normal settings. He constantly invited his teachers over for playdates (and for vacation). While doing worksheets in small groups, he has to make it into a gift exchange with his teachers or friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This could be my kid! She just turned six. Everything is narrated and she constantly needs to be engaged in conversation. Her dad’s side of the family has a lot of extremely talkative people, so I figure it’s just genetic. Her cousin (also on that side of the family) was similar but now at age 9 talks a more normal amount, so maybe there’s hope!

Yes this sounds like my son. You and some other PPs give me some hope! I wonder what they have replaced the talking with though. More reading, more interaction with friends, newfound interests?

Sounds like my child and all of my in-laws. It is exhausting to me as a quiet introvert who does not like noise. I’ve at least trained my child to read, spend more time thinking, build and craft, and go outside to play. DH was less teachable but at least he no longer stands outside the bathroom door talking and talking when I’m trying to poop. Inlaws otoh…

Anonymous wrote:Interesting there are so many replies suggest ADHD. I guess I never considered that. He is in preschool and has no issues there, so I don't think it's that he doesn't know how to behave or can't stop and pay attention.

And yes he does know how to ask questions and have a back and forth. He is not just talking by himself. He will talk about something, then ask for affirmation and input constantly, like "that was rude, wasn't it?" "That's so funny right?" "Did you like that Mommy?". I might actually prefer it if he just droned on and on by himself but he actually waits for me to respond and act totally engrossed.

I’m thinking ADHD as well but also wondering if he has anxiety based on the questions you say he asks a lot. Lots like he could be seeking reassuring and validation.