[Quick Tip] Is it Neurodiversity Affirming to Use the Word "Scripting"?
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Is the word “scripting” neurodiversity‑affirming for kids?
Is it neurodiversity affirming to use the word scripting when we are talking about our kids? Let's talk about that today.
What's up everyone and welcome to Making the Shift for Autistic Kids. We're an SLP couple from California with four boys. And we're here every week to bring you neuroaffirming tips, tricks, and tools. Are you ready to make the shift? Let's do this!
I got a text from a colleague that kind of made me chuckle, but also I thought it was so valid and relevant.
Why does the context of how we use “scripting” matter more than the word itself?
And here's what she said. She said, question, is there a more inclusive term for scripting? One of my students wrote it and I cringed a bit. And the reason I chuckled was because it's not a bad word, you know, it's not a word that is not neurodiversity affirming. I said nope. Um using the word scripting is fine. And it's the same thing as delete echolalia. But I did say that, you know, it's really the context I think that matters here because the fact that she said she heard the word scripting and that made her cringe makes me think what were her past
How can we describe a student’s scripting without negative connotations?
interactions with other people like that made her feel like scripting was a bad thing, right? And that's all about context. So I said that when you're writing about it, it's a lot different, for example, to say something like the student is scripting constantly and doesn't engage and doesn't use any functional language. Like that puts it in this context context of painting it. into this negative light or this picture of scripting being a bad thing, right? Whereas if we said something like student primarily communicates through scripting or student primarily communicates through delayed echolalia, I had told her that's the same thing. You could say that as well. So with something like this, not a bad thing.
What are strengths‑based alternatives to labeling a child as “scripting”?
It's all about how we say it and it's all about the context that we put it in. So I would say we want to avoid saying things like You know, the student was scripting in his own world and not engaged or motivated by the activities. Like something like that would not be A strengths-based way to write a description of a student, right? Instead, you might say something like student primarily uses.
What key takeaways should listeners apply when talking about scripting?
Delayed Echolalia or scripting to communicate. And that is totally fine to say. So hope that answers that question. If anyone out in there in the world also felt that way.
Thank you so much for tuning in to Making the Shift. If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to us if you could like, subscribe, share it with a friend. Our only goal is to spread neurodiversity affirming approaches all over the world, and we can only do that with your help. Thanks for being here and we'll see you next time.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Is the word “scripting” neurodiversity‑affirming for kids?
0:00–0:43
2
Why does the context of how we use “scripting” matter more than the word itself?
0:43–1:21
3
How can we describe a student’s scripting without negative connotations?
1:21–2:07
4
What are strengths‑based alternatives to labeling a child as “scripting”?
2:07–2:38
5
What key takeaways should listeners apply when talking about scripting?
2:38–3:07
Speakers
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