Scripting/Social Skills/Appropriate Behavior

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old DS just started scripting again after a significant hiatus... He doesn't have a conclusive diagnosis but is probably on the spectrum.

For a while, his behavior seemed almost normal. However, he just started kindergarten, and I'm noticing some regression. In any event DS is scripting and generally behaves in a silly manner around others (excluding family). I think he doesn't know what to say or do, so he scripts (random lines from his favorite movie), jumps around, and engages in very little give and take in conversation. He is capable of being serious, but he's having a hard time staying organized.

DS is already in speech and OT and has long days at school. We don't have time/money for more therapy. However, what kind of professional would help with the scripting and social skills if/when we decide to add another therapy. More impartantly, how can I teach my son not to script and to only speak when he has something relevant to say?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

What do you mean when you say "script." I think of verbal prompts, like telling your kid to say hello.

If he's started doing this when school started, it's probably in reaction to stress. Maybe it will take him a while to adjust to the new environment?

[Anonymous]

PP, found the scripting link in another post, so I know what it is now.

My SN kid (non-ASD) reverted to some behaviors when starting K. I'm pretty sure from stress.

[Anonymous]

As long as he's doing it at home, let him go for it. Starting K is stressful. Scripting is a form of stimming except verbally. My son does the endless barage of "What if" questions and likes to ask the same question over and over that he wants the listener to answer exactly the same, every. single. time.

He can do this at home as long as he likes (or as much as DH and I can stand). Like most stims, it comes and goes on it's own. However, both OT and ST can address it. My son's stims, verbal and physical, appear to come and go on it's own although he does OT and ST at school. The main reason I have cut out private (expensive) OT.

As for learning the give and take of conversations, ST can help with pragmatics and/or a social skills group.