Curse Disney!

Ellany loves to quote things! She has echolalia, which means she will repeat words or phrases (or whole books!) that she has read or heard. She usually quotes something that applies to the current situation, but may randomly repeat something because she likes the way it sounds.

Recently, she came to me and said, "He's a F-R-E-A-K!" with a big smile. She completely caught me off guard, and I had no idea what she was quoting. I told her that was a mean word and not to say it. But she thought it was very amusing, repeated "F-R-E-A-K!" and started laughing hysterically! Then I found a book open on her bed...Disney's "Treasury of Children's Classics". It was open to the story of Dumbo, when the other elephants are criticizing poor little Dumbo. And there was the quote. You would assume that Disney stories are safe for kids, right? Not so! Ellany also picked up "stupid little boys" from Pinocchio and "trashy people" from The Rescuers!!! Despite my efforts, she still repeats these phrases and then says that they are mean words.

It is a REALLY good thing that Ellany has never watched network television. Just imagine all the bad language, commercials and other embarrassing things she would be spouting!