Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Constant talking/singing/noise making

My sister was like this growing up. Like GeorgeC, she is a musician, but growing up it was mostly chatter and talking, IIRC. And yes, she did it even in her sleep. As the very quiet, introverted sibling with some noise sensitivity, it drove me crazy, and is something that still colors my memories of our sibling relationship. I used to believe it was a ploy for attention- she was insatiable in that regard (though obviously talking and humming in your sleep doesn't fit that theory).

My dd10 is like this, she is gifted with a beautiful voice and superior auditory memory, however the tapping, clapping, humming, talking, interrupting, dancing, etc., etc finally resulted in our seeking a drs opinion on the behavior. She also has difficulty staying on task in the morning, getting out the door on time (though usually has everything she needs, when she does finally get going). Some issues with finishing work in a timely manner at school, also.

Your child might not have any of the distraction issues, but ours certainly did/does (it is easier to overlook being on time in the summer, but boredom can result in LOTS Of needing to talk nonstop, etc).
She has a diagnosis of adhd - and we are educating ourselves on what that will mean for her education going forward; right now she has a few accommodations at the school, which have been helpful.

Oh yes - that sounds like DS.

I've been avoiding thoughts of ADHD, but it's a possibility. He has psycho-ed testing coming up in a month - so we'll see.

I know last year his teachers had a problem with him wandering around the class and singing - and then denying that he was singing. Interesting to hear that other kids are also unaware of this behaviour....

Yes, this is part of the problem - I find that I can tolerate it and I try not to get on his case about it too much. But it drives my DD11 nuts (although she sings too, just not as much or as repetitively).

It leads to much sibling squabbling - which I have a harder time tolerating.

My husband, DD7, and DS2 are all like this. DD5 and I both live in a constant state of frustration and exhaustion. I try to teach moderation and respect for boundaries and limits, but it's difficult to win the battle when outnumbered. We have a whole house full of various OEs, so "never a dull moment" barely covers it.

The irony in our household is that DS6 talks almost incessantly about every topic under the sun and makes tons of noise all the time, but is the one who gets most frustrated on those rare occasions when DS5 is talking a bit too much or humming an annoying tune. The OEs will be the death of me.

I know someone with the ADHD - DCD combo who makes a lot of noises like that-- I think it keeps him on track, in a way. But yes, troubling to others.

Yes, DD6 is always talking, asking questions, singing, humming, or making what sound like nonsense noises of some type or another. She is also a singer and has been performing (by her choice) since age 3, although I think this choice is a result of the behavior rather than a cause. She has excellent pitch, fortunately, but I am an introvert, so I am often challenged to expand my patience.

She does, however, also exhibit attention challenges very similar to those described by chris1234, so I often wonder how much of the behavior is possibly related to undiagnosed ADHD vs OEs.

I get really frustrated with ds9 talking to the computer screen but I know I talk to myself, especially when I am struggling to maintain focus/ignore distractions.

This is really similar to one of several school-behavior complaints we've received about my own kid -- constant noisemaking, sometimes seemingly unconscious, sometimes apparently a bid for attention. I'm trawling through this forum looking for anything that sounds familiar, so was relieved to see this question. School is bemused, deeply irritated, and all out of behavior management ideas.

OP or others in this thread: if you're still hanging out here, how does this look for your kid, three years on? Has anyone had any success in teaching a kid like this to zip it in school?