Autism: No Remote Needed

Autism:  No Remote Needed 

I've come to the conclusion today that if I were stranded on a desert island with my son with autism, I would never be bored.  I wouldn't have to think "gee, I wonder what's on TV?" because living with my son with autism is like having the TV on 24/7. 

He loves to script.  At this moment we are in the middle of the commercial for "The Muppet Movie".  You get both the play by play of the movie or video tape and the trailers and commercials that accompany each. 

Now, it's "Bear in the Big Blue House".  The "channels" change at will.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the changing of the channels, just whatever comes into his mind. 

The voices are amazingly close to those of the characters, including the british accent of one of our favorites, "Kipper the Dog".  Now the channel has changed to "Stuart Little".  

I guess I should be thankful he's not into professional wrestling or monster trucks because not only do you get the "script" of the show, you get the sound effects. Whether it be a "crash" a "bang" a "boing" or the most dreaded by me, a "scream" they are all delivered with perfect timing to fit the script.  

The hardest part is trying to teach him that the neighbors may not prefer to hear "The Rugrats" belted out at 10 at night.  I've taken to shutting the windows lately to prevent the sound from lofting across the street.  In the time it took me to just step outside to smoke a cigarette, we've changed from Lilo and Stitch, to the line in Rugrats Movie where Mrs. Pickles is in labor and the Dr says "alright Dee Dee, you can do it...push now".  "Now on video" . 

But sometimes he uses the script in realistic situations.  I remember one day we had to go to the radiologist for an xray of his wrist.  Killing time in the waiting room is not easy for a child with autism, and Joey began scripting from Spongebob.  Across the room a distinguished looking gray haired gentleman sat reading the New York Times.  Joey left his seat and climbed into the chair next to this man.  "Excuse me sir" he said.  "Oh no" I thought. I knew exactly what was coming. 

"I hope my horrible ugliness won't be a distraction to you".  He had delivered the "we're not ugly, we just stink" Spongebob and Patrick script to this man waiting for his own xray.  I rushed over to take him away from this gentleman.  I'm sure the man had no idea in you know where what this kid was talking about. He had played it out exactly as Spongebob did when he tapped the man in the seat beside him in the theatre on the shoulder. 

As I wrap up this blog we are now on "Scooby Doo and The Cyber Chase" commercial.  I know there are "behaviorist" explanations for why he does this.  He is capable of having a brief conversation.  It is not his preferred thing however.  He would prefer that you participate in the scripts and god help you if you miss a word or get your lines out of order.  His memory is incredible.  There must be a way to use this skill in a more productive and possible vocational manner. I struggle with these questions daily.  

But right now it is late and I need to find the "mute" button on this remote.