On his birthday in September, Mason started to stutter a bit. We started to get concerned -- even talked to his doctor (who wasn't concerned). Some words are very drawn out, repeating the same syllable up to ten or more times. We don't want to embarrass or call too much attention to it, so we try to be patient. In the last couple of months, he's gone through phases of extreme stuttering to no stuttering, with no decipherable pattern.

I started paying a little closer attention. It seems that he stutters the most when he's talking loud or when there are a lot of people around. I wondered if this might be his way of holding the spotlight. I'm still not sure, but do know that when he's relaxed, he doesn't stutter at all. I also think it became a habit.

Yesterday a new pattern emerged. No stuttering...but nonstop talking. We were in the car for over an hour and he did not stop talking even once. I am not kidding. Cindy and I were about ready to tranquilize him. He went from one subject to another, and then onto something else. It was cute for a while, but then, oh my sore ears, enough already. To make matters worse, he insists on audience feedback. He's not just talking to himself. He wants his listeners to repeat back what he said, or, at a minimum, give him a "yes Mason." He is not deterred by talking us to utter exhaustion. This morning, this new disturbing pattern continued. All day long, as long as his eyes were open, so was his mouth.

I'm glad the stuttering seems to be subsiding, but could there be hope for the non-stop talking?