July 9, 2013 | Sleep Talking Sleep talking involves unconscious talking during sleep. Sleep talking varies in content and presentation, ranging from mumbling, gibberish, and nonsensical words to coherent. Sleep talking can be spontaneous, but may also be induced by some else who talks with them while asleep. This nocturnal language can even sound different from their wakeful speaking voice! The content of sleep talking can be completely random, but it may also be related to past or present daytime experiences. Decoding it can be impossible (or not even necessary) as sleep talking happens out side of conscious awareness. Sleep talking can happen at any time during the night and during any stage of sleep. In the earlier part of the night, people tend to be more in the deeper stages of sleep (Stage 3 or 4) and sleep talking may sound more like gibberish or mumbling. As the night progresses, sleep becomes lighter (REM sleep like Stages 1 and 2) and can be more understandable to a bed partner. Most sleep talkers won't remember a thing about their midnight murmurs — which, more accurately, can range from babbling to coherent sentences and even raised voice. Sleep-talking or somniloquy can range from random noises to complete sentences. It can also be brought on by stress or reacting to dream sequences.

𝖠𝖣𝖠𝖯𝖳𝖠𝖡𝖫𝖤 𝖥𝖠𝖬𝖨𝖫𝖸 (𝖡𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) Pt. 4 The room is plunged into darkness, and Plankton feels his body begin to relax. He's exhausted as his eye flutters closed, his breathing evened out. But Chip is wide awake, his mind racing with thoughts of his dad's revelation. He watches Plankton's chest rise and fall in the dim moonlight. He's never seen him so still, so peaceful. It's a stark contrast to the manic energy he usually exudes while scheming or running from Mr. Krabs. Plankton's breathing becomes steadier, a soft snore escaping his mouth as he slips into sleep. Chip lies there for a while, listening to the gentle rhythm, feeling the warmth of his father's body next to him. He notices Plankton's hand, lying open on the bed, fingers slightly curled. Without thinking, Chip reaches out and takes it. It's comforting. Plankton's hand twitches slightly in his sleep, but he doesn't wake up. Chip thinks back to all the times his dad had been there for him, the endless stories of adventure and mischief, the way he'd always made him laugh. Eventually later in the night, Chip starts to notice something new. His father's quiet snores are interrupted by his voice. "Mm... osem...," Plankton mumbled in his sleep, his hand twitching slightly in Chip's grasp. He'd never heard this before! Curiosity piqued, Chip listened closer, his dad's words growing clearer. "Neur...where... hiding...ula..." Plankton mumbled before his voice trailed off into another snore. It dawned on Chip that his dad was talking in his sleep. It was like his brain was still working on autopilot, processing things even when he wasn't conscious. The rest of the night goes without incident. The next morning, the sun peeks through the cracks in the curtains, Chip's eyes blinking open to the sight of his father, still sleeping soundly. Plankton's hand is still wrapped around his, their fingers entwined in a silent testament to their newfound bond. Chip smiles, feeling his heart swell with love. He's always known his dad was special, but now he understands why in a way he never did before. Karen stirs in the early morning light, glancing at the bed beside her. She knows this is a momentous step for Plankton, letting Chip in on his secret. She smiles gently as she watches Chip wake. "Good morning, Chip," she says, keeping her voice low so not to disturb Plankton. "How did you sleep?" Chip sits up slowly, his eyes wide. "I heard Dad talking in his sleep," he whispers, his face scrunched in puzzlement. "It was weird, but I liked it. It felt like he was still with me, even when he was dreaming." Karen nods, her smile soft. "That's his brain doing its thing," she says. "Sometimes people with autism have a harder time turning off their thoughts at night. It's like his brain is still working on all the patterns and things he loves. He doesn't always do it, but it's not uncommon." Chip looks thoughtfully at his dad. Plankton stirs, his eye opening to see Chip staring at him. He blinks a few times, then sits up, his antennae springing to life. "Ah, morning," he says, his voice groggy. Chip quickly pulls away his hand, but not before Plankton notices. He clears his throat, his gaze shifting away from his son. "How'd you sleep?" he asks, trying to sound nonchalant. But Chip doesn't miss the look of vulnerability in his dad's eye. "Good," Chip replies, his voice still quiet. "Why do you snore, Dad?" He asks, as Karen stifles her laughter. "Is that because of aut-" Plankton's antennae shoot up in alarm. "WHAT?" He cuts Chip off abruptly, his eye darting to Karen. She nods gently. "It's not an autistic trait, but many people do." But Plankton's mind is racing. He's never heard himself snore. The realization that his son has noticed something so intimate, something he wasn't even aware of, sends a jolt of panic through him. "I... I don't snore," he stammers, his antennae quivering. Chip looks confused. "But you did, Dad," he says, his voice still soft. Karen steps in, trying to ease the tension. "It's just how some people breathe when they sleep," she explains. "It doesn't mean anything's wrong with you. Now Chip, you won your school's science fair and are going to the final competition right? If so, we need to pack and get on the road, as it'll take all day for me to drive to the hotel the program booked!" Plankton nods, relieved at the change in subject. "Yes, yes," he says, his voice a bit too eager. "The science fair. Chip's going to win." He turns to his son. "You're going to make me proud, aren't you?" Chip nods, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'll do my best, Dad," he says. They start to pack, the morning air filled with the bustle of activity. Plankton moves around the room, his movements sharp and precise. Chip watches him, noticing how his dad's autism affects even the simplest of tasks. Everything has to be in its place, every item packed just so. "Mom, what about the sensory toys?" Chip asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern. Karen glances at Plankton, then back at her son. "We have another box in the car," she says, her voice calm. "But Dad doesn't need them every second." Plankton nods, his antennae still quivering. "Just ones for travel," he adds, his voice tight.