Boring Stories
Some individuals with autism repeat the same stories over and over or talk endlessly about one topic. How can we help our friends add variety to their conversations?
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Perseverating on one topic or continually repeating stories can be a natural consequence of autism. One of the diagnostic criteria of autism is stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities.
“Rehearsed conversations” is a strategy proven successful for several teens and adults with autism. For example, a pre-teen’s irritating habit of repeating the same story over and over again was standing in the way of her making friends at school.
The first step in the “rehearsed conversations” strategy for this youngster was to increase her awareness of the issue. A trusted therapist used a social story to help the youngster understand that her obsession with one topic rubbed the other kids the wrong way. Her awareness of the issue did not lead to more appropriate conversations.
The second phase of this pre-teen’s “rehearsed conversation strategy” involved helping her develop a new repertoire of stories. Her teachers, therapists, and family members helped her develop several three-sentence stories about interesting events at home, at school, or at community events. After rehearsing the stories for families and mentors, she learned to tell friends a story just one time, then to stop talking and listen to other people talk. This young lady also needed coaching to help her understand to wait for an opening in a group conversation rather than abruptly starting a story, interrupting others in the process.
So far, this young lady has not learned to speak extemporaneously, but her new “rehearsed” stories have resulted in her being more readily included in “girl talk” sessions at recess, in the lunchroom, and after school. Family members found they were more patient with the young lady as well not that she does not tell the same boring stories over and over.
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Source: Diagnostic Statistical Manual, American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 70.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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