Scripted or perseverative language
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| Wed, 03-14-2007 - 4:23pm |
Newbie posting here.
DS was dx last year with PDD-NOS. He is now 4 yrs old. The biggest issues we have are: the scripted or perseverating language, high levels of frustration, transitioning, limited diet/picky eater. DS has always spoken very clearly and articulately for his age. Most people are impressed. The problem we have is that he will spend 20-30 min talking AT you about HIS subject of choice. The subject is usually something very concrete and comes from a book or DVD. Right now we got some PBS series DVDs from the library on bridges, tunnels and dams. He will tell you all about the Golden Gate bridge, the Hoosak tunnel or the Hoover Dam. He goes on and on and on. He prefers these documentary type movies over TV like Sprout and Noggin. He'll get scared on some of the shows and run out of the room. His favorite books which he carries like security blankets are 'The Big Machine Book' and 'My Big Train Book.' There is no story involved in either of these books.
What should we do about the language? Should we limit his discussions about one thing? He usually doesn't stop talking until HE is ready. Is getting these types of movies making it worse? He is in preschool and the teachers have noticed it more recently but did not feel it was 'getting in the way' or anything.
DS tends to be very literal and rule oriented. For Christmas, he was a builder. Most people would then assume "Bob the Builder" but he would always correct them that he was Eli not Bob.
erika

hello Erika and welcome.
Scripted language (echolalia) can be a form of communication or it can be a form of 'stim" i.e. just repeating something because it calms a person.
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Hi Erica
You have a carbon copy of my son!! LOL
He too is PDD and was dx'd last March (time flies) and he had lack of speech w/ alot of echoing. Now since he has gotten speech therepy it has helped. I feel he still echos for stim reasons (I redirect as much as possible) and I envoke other ideas to him to get off the intended echo phrase he is talking about.
He is communitcating as like your son, but I would redirect him w/ his echoing.
Look at the bright side, he is trying to communicate.
I engage floor time play and getting new vocabulary into his life or for the time being.
Good Luck
Nora
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/irishwildrose/pp2.jpg
Hi, Erika,
I think that it's all about balance.
Some scripting is FUN. Gotta have fun sometimes. My children recite scenes to each other from Max and Ruby and really crack each other up. I'm thrilled they have a mutual interest.
Also, sometimes my older son uses scripts to express himself when he couldn't any other way. For example, if Spongebob felt like he does, and my son can't come up with his own words to express it, I'd rather him script from a Spongebob scene than leave me in the dark as to how he feels.
I think it is okay to allow scripting, while also working on original language, interaction, etc.
Just my opinion,
Sidney
My youngest (6 y/o DD) uses scripting/echolalia for probably 50% of her daily language usage. When she was your son's age, she did nothing BUT script. In fact, I was ecstatic when it started because she was finally communicating!
I know that redirection seems like a critical intervention strategy, but I would caution you not to "force" the issue. If you do try to redirect avoid doing anything that may be considered a punishment from your son's perspective. (i.e.- don't raise your voice, don't "insist" he stop, etc.) Instead say things like, "Boy...I really like it when you use your OWN words instead of the words from the bridge video."
To be honest we rarely, if ever, try to redirect our daughter. We've found that trying to make her stop scripting prevented her from exploring her own language skills. Over the past year, as we've let her "work it out on her own", we've seen significant gains in her usage of spontaneous speech.
Is it possible that your son is scripting as a self-calming mechanism when sensory input gets overwhelming? If so, it's possible that you might be able to identify the trigger(s) and help him come up with a different, more "socially acceptable" way of dealing with it. (i.e.- a stress ball he can carry with him)
Not sure if I helped, but if nothing else, you know you're not alone with this issue~
Amy
ok, I agree with the last 2 posts. We only really interupt scripted stuff when it is interfering really. Sometimes it really can.
For the longest time DS used echoing as a good communication strategie, particularly when he was stressed. Now it is typically stimmy, fun. He usually uses it stim wise to regulate himself.
Renee
I found this website which describes echolalia. http://www.specialed.us/autism/verbal/verbal11.html
I don't find that his use of words or grammar is inappropriate. If he wants something, he will request 'normally' like "I want the car." He also answers questions appropriately like if you ask him what he did in school he will say "I went to gym." His language skills have always been good in terms of use of words and clarity of vocalizations. So the real issue is that he just talks AT you for a long time and incessently asks questions. Last year when we had him tested, he was a year or two above his age for vocabulary and the other kinds of verbal tests they gave him. He just talks non stop.
Erika,
I just wrote out a lovely long reply, but the Internet gremlins ate it. So here goes again:
Thanks for the clarification: It sound to me now like Eli's behaviors have less to do with
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I haven't done anything through the county yet. So far, everything has been paid for by insurance. I did switch insurance so we'll see what that means for his f/u in August with the developmental pediatrician.
Also, I know DH is very concerned about 'labeling' him. DH tends to be very insecure about school and himself. When we see possible issues in our son, DH jumps to thinking that DS will be held back, not go to college, not be able to get a job, etc. DH is scared DS will be picked on because he is different. These are really insecurities DH has about himself. DS is bright but just has a few quirks and who doesn't?
Some told me about the red and green card idea for turn taking in conversation. I think that is something which will really connect with him. My poor 3 yr old DD gets lost when he constantly talks. Sometimes I make DS stop talking but then DD is put on the spot and doesn't have anything to say. I'm not sure how to incoporate turn taking or 'fair' amount of talking so DS doesn't always get the 'floor.' DD just turned 3 and is very articulate as well. She's quiet around her brother (for obvious reasons) but will speak a lot if we're just alone.
Thanks
I have not heard of the reed card green card thing before but it sound like a good diea. visual cues and/or manipulatives can really help our kids.
Another idea is a "talking stick" (or some such device).
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com