Verbal ASD 3yo doesn't answer questions

[Anonymous]

My DS with expressive/receptive language disorder didn't really start answering open ended questions until 2nd and start to expand on them until 3rd. One thing we did was model asking ourselves open ended questions and then answering them. Examples: Hmmm, what do I want to do today? What should we have for dinner tonight? Looks like I have to choose my favorite color, so I'll choose blue.

[Anonymous]

Your DC might be a GLP. You wanting to talk about their day is outweighed by your child's actual needs.

[Anonymous]

What makes you think this child is a GLP, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned 3. He was diagnosed with ASD at 2.5. They didn't give us a level, but it seems mild. He is verbal and likes to talk about things he likes, but essentially never answers questions (ie he talks at us all the time but never a back and forth). The only time I can think of him actually answering a question is if we ask him what flavor popsicle he wants. He just stared pre-school early at DCPS and I would like for him to talk to me about his school day. And I know answering questions in general is important for school. Anyone have a similar situation/any suggestions to get him to answer? Did they eventually start responding?

Does he ask questions? My DD was also diagnosed with ASD at 2.5—we were told it would be considered HFA from what the psychologist saw but they are moving away from levels, etc. She is a gestalt processor so she was slightly late to talk, and a repeater when she did start talking until she got a handle on breaking down learned sentences into discrete words and putting it all together. It’s been fascinating to watch.

I’d say a year ago (when she was 3) I was worried she wouldn’t ask questions which meant it would be hard for her to understand questions are a way to get info, have relationships, and require interaction. She has come amazingly far from then and we do converse now and she asks lots of questions! Things that helped us—speech therapy, of course, that focuses on pragmatics (we do private pay and public via IEP), reading Hanen’s it takes two to talk, and just learning more about how she uniquely processes language (so ymmv).

Here are some examples of things we did:
We modeled asking questions but also offered her some answers to help her process. So instead of what flavor popsicle? We’d say what flavor of popsicle do you want: cherry, lime, or orange? For whatever reason hearing a script of choices really helped her understand response options. For school we might say something like: at school today did you color with crayons or markers? Did you sit next to Larla or Larlo at lunch? What was your favorite playground thing today—slide, swings, or castle?

The other thing we noticed with DD is it takes her a while—a pretty long while—to process questions sometimes and we needed to resist the urge to start peppering her with more questions or clarifying questions which only confused her more. Just wait a bit to see even if it feels like a painful wait. If possible ask the question very simply and repeat it simply if the response doesn’t come.

Meals with family are excellent natural practice time. Ask questions of others about their day and comment. Dad, what did you eat today for lunch at work?! Ooh I love strawberries too! And DS what did you buy for school lunch? And DD what did you eat?

Anyways your child is really young still—but it’s a great sign that he’s verbal. My DD still awkward with speech at 4.5, but holy heck has she made huge progress and we do have conversations (beautiful sweet little conversations that I so cherish because I know how hard it is for her).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think this child is a GLP, PP?

Difficulty answering spontaneous questions can be an indicator.