Q's for anyone w/autistic child

[Christine43]

Hi, I have a question. My son does an extreme amount of scripting and stimming in the form of asking alot of q's about episodes of tv shows, movies etc. Does anyone else have a child who does this? He does it A LOT. He was on meds. for it which did absolutely nothing except make him more miserable so I'm concentrating on behavioral approaches regarding this. When we've gone to DW in the past he was ok about doing it less but I'm just afraid this is going to become a serious issue this time. I'm not concerned about other peoples reactions to him but sometimes he gets upset when he doesn't get the right response or it starts to irritate his sibs. Do any of you have Pal Mickey and does it help your child stay engaged? I thought it might keep in the Disney stream of things. I'll have the GAC card and everything but I don't know, I hope it's just as special for him this time. I think the problems will arise most of all waiting for parades and shows. Any suggestions?
It's just one of those days where I feel very overwhelmed, very sad and very, very frustrated and I guess I need a pat on the back. I got both twins eval'd over the summer and I'm going to have some huge fights ahead of me with the schools that I'm not looking forward to. Thanks again, Christine

 

[XYSRUS]

My son does the same thing. It is their way of making sense of the world...repeating, repeating, repeating. Sometimes I let him do it b/c I know it's his comfort from a chaotic world. Other times, when I know it's disturbing, I tell him " I need to hear some new *insert name* sentences and questions." That seems to jolt him out of it for a while. He goes back of course but that's ok, too. Try to engage him in conversation where he doesn't have to answer just yes or no. Autism is a guessing game at best. Every kid is different! And unique!

 

[Forevryoung]

While I don't have autism, I do "fixate" on things (ocd). Sometimes ideas or questions get into my head and they get "stuck" there I get agitated and upset when the response around me isn't as positive as I would like it to be (parents, boyfriend, and friends included).

Meds have helped me a lot, but it took time to find the right ones.

The biggest thing I can do is to find something else to fixate on, "solve" the fixation, or become absorbed in something else that requires the same brain usage.

I don't know if a) you want to carry pal mickey around all day- by the end of the trip he stayed in the car, b) your son would fixate on pal mickey's comments and games (and mickey gets annoying too sometimes!)

I don't know how old your son is but maybe a "20 questions" or "I spy" type game may redirect him. That would also get the rest of the family involved (and your other children can help redirect him as well).

if you want him to focus on where he is- "name 10 things you see that are green" or look for hidden mickey's (get the hidden mickey book for hints!)

I'll keep thinking-

 

[Christine43]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've done the 20 q's thing when we've been waiting and that's a great idea. Unfortunately, it only lasts too long and then he becomes irritated. All four of my kids have OCD. One because of his autism, two because of AS and my daughter has OCD but it was much worse when she was younger. I have it to some degree too. It can be very hard to get some thoughts out of your head, I totally understand. Thanks for your help!

 

[Christine43]

I tell him " I need to hear some new *insert name* sentences and questions." That seems to jolt him out of it for a while. He goes back of course but that's ok, too. Try to engage him in conversation where he doesn't have to answer just yes or no. Autism is a guessing game at best. Every kid is different! And unique![/QUOTE]

We say to him something like "no 'tv talk' right now" and sometimes he's ok with it and sometimes he gets mad and I have to redirect him again. He's a sweet boy and I hate seeing him get so frustrated but you know what that's like too, I'm sure. Uniqueness I get! I have three on the spectrum, two with AS and they are completely different from each other! They are terrific kids and I'm proud of them.