Scripting as a Second Language

One of the unusual features of autism is a verbal child's ability to script, or recite portions of books and videos.  As a second language teacher, I have been interested in how to encourage use of the first language (scripting) to build a second (communicative speech).  So far we have had some success paying attention to what our Song likes to sing and recite, and speaking to her with phrases from her scripts to gain attention and cooperation.  For instance, Song does not respond to her name, but responds to "ready, get set, go! " to gain her focus and get her to run our direction.  She also will fill in the blanks with the either/or song from her Richard Scarry video.  We can ask is she wants in or out, up or down, or if she is happy or sad  by using the intonation from the video, and she will verbally respond.  Using scripts she knows in real life contexts has helped her bridge into more communicative speech.  Last week she saw my husband and I holding hands and commented, "Happily ever after- The end."