What is this that my son does?

[Phasmid]

My son has always done this (sometimes it's more obvious or more frequent than other times); while watching t.v., he will briefly look away from the t.v. and then copy whatever a character has done or said, then resume watching. For example, if a cartoon character is riding a bike, and hits a bump and flies off, my son will mimic with his arms, hands, and head the movement that the character made. At the same time, he copies what he heard. He sometimes does the whole thing a second time. Then, resumes watching. I don't know if this is normal, or what. He used to have echolalia, but this is not anywhere near as frequent or constant as the echolalia was. Maybe he just thinks it's funny and wants to replay the scene, I just have never seen another child do it.

[saidie10]

My son has always done this (sometimes it's more obvious or more frequent than other times); while watching t.v., he will briefly look away from the t.v. and then copy whatever a character has done or said, then resume watching. For example, if a cartoon character is riding a bike, and hits a bump and flies off, my son will mimic with his arms, hands, and head the movement that the character made. At the same time, he copies what he heard. He sometimes does the whole thing a second time. Then, resumes watching. I don't know if this is normal, or what. He used to have echolalia, but this is not anywhere near as frequent or constant as the echolalia was. Maybe he just thinks it's funny and wants to replay the scene, I just have never seen another child do it.

 

I would guess it is a type of compulsive behavior. The need to copy comes over him and he has to do it. Or, he could just be acting silly! It is so hard to tell sometimes!!!!!!

[thereishope]

What happens if you tell him he needs to sit still and he cannot copy it? Can he go to the movies?

[thereishope]

I should add both my sons act out intro songs to cartoons. Words, actions, etc. For them, it's just part of watching the show and them really getting into it. After the show, they will sometimes reenact scenes, phrase, conversations. Again, it's just them liking it. Now if I tell them not to do it, it wouldn't cause anxiety and they would not freak out over not being able to do it. That's how it differs from OCD. If it was OCD, they would have extreme anxiety and they MUST do it. It would seem like life and death to a child.

Edited June 13, 2010 by Vickie

[Phasmid]

He doesn't ever sing along with songs. It is just if there is something that is loud, or if a character makes some interesting move, he copies it over and over. Maybe three times. He will sometimes look at me to see if I am watching (which of course, I am), and then he abrubtly stops.

 

He can go to the movies, it is dark and loud. Now, if he watches t.v. with his dad, (i don't ever watch what they watch), he CANNOT watch quietly without talking. Always ends up with him getting chewed out for talking every few seconds. He tells his dad what just happened, though dad was sitting right there and saw it. It is not a pleasant activity for me because of the stuff going on the entire movie.

[dut]

hi - could it also be a form of tic? like echolalia or echopraxia (copying words or movements)... don't know if this would apply though if it were only in certain situations? just a thought.....

[marilina]

I refer to this 3d.

we sometimes have doubts too: the problem is that these behaviors are not related to classic obsessions, compulsions , like OCD affecting the cleanliness and order, but it's as if my daughter had the flash of the day passed, then the actions or positions she saw during the day she has the irrepressible compulsion forces to repeat like a broken record :overnight.

matter of life or death, says Vickie,that's true, and if we try to stop it is as if we try to kill her. the OCD we knew, those related to her autism, we could deal them with behavioral interventions, redirecting her attention, etc. .... and we always managed to avoid drugs and psychotropic drugs.

compulsions of PANDAS we can not stop. in the worst moments it was almost as if she don't recognize us as parents : in those horrible moments are a hindrance, we are enemies, we can not have a relationship with her. For months this thing is going on, and unfortunately the worst times are at night, where the anxiety rise. I sometimes think that at night she can not relax and sleep because sleep for her is a little 'how to die .....

the only respite was the cycle of 10 days of corticosteroids. NOTHING else has worked, and I am convinced that more than the IVIG my daughter would need PEX, to clean up the blood.but here in Italy there is no one able to help.

[thereishope]

It's hard sometimes. My son, who is recovered and not in an exacerbation, is a commentator during tv shows when he is super excited about it. He does the exact same thing. But, for my son....it's just him:) Annoying at times, but just him.

 

As for him seeing you, then stopping....he knows you prefer he doesn't do it or he's embarassed. With OCD, the first steps when I tried to overcome something, "the look" wouldn't stiop him. Not until he had it under control and it was a reminder. To "test" OCD, I'd probably challenge him. Pick a show you know he acts out or talks through and challenge him with a prize. Now, he still might need a reminder, but if it's not OCD, high anxiety shouldn't occur,just that sly look like "oop, I forgot".

 

 

He doesn't ever sing along with songs. It is just if there is something that is loud, or if a character makes some interesting move, he copies it over and over. Maybe three times. He will sometimes look at me to see if I am watching (which of course, I am), and then he abrubtly stops.

 

He can go to the movies, it is dark and loud. Now, if he watches t.v. with his dad, (i don't ever watch what they watch), he CANNOT watch quietly without talking. Always ends up with him getting chewed out for talking every few seconds. He tells his dad what just happened, though dad was sitting right there and saw it. It is not a pleasant activity for me because of the stuff going on the entire movie.