LIGHTS, CAMERA.....ACTION!!!! The Power of Scripting


 How many of us have been in a social situation where we don't know what to say?  I know that for me, this has happened many times.  Well, luckily, there's this thing called scripting where you create what things you may say in a given social interaction.  Scripting is a way us neurodivergent folks mask our traits so we can fit into this crazy world.

I've scripted many times.  When I meet someone new, I always say this: "hey! how are you doing?" OR I might look at what they're wearing or doing and say "O.M.G. that top is so cute! Where did you get it?".  Things like these help me in situations where coming up with what to say is hard. Sometimes, people don't interact with me the way I want them to when I do this and it can be hard.  

A script can be a way for us on the autism spectrum to ease stress and anxiety, as well as give us confidence when we are socializing with the people around us.

In Dr. Megan Anna Neff's book, Self-Care for Autistic People released in 2024 pages 144-145 discuss scripting. She gives some advice on how to script for the following scenarios:

BOUNDARIES:

  •  "I'm sorry I'm not able to do that right now"
  • "I'm sorry I'm not able to answer that question"
  • These can help when formulating boundaries is hard.  
SMALL TALK:
  • Exit Statement: "it's been nice chatting with you" OR "it was a pleasure to meet you"
  • These can help ease conversational/social transitions with other people and make them feel more comfortable.
SELF-ADVOCACY:
  • "I'm not feeling good in this situation, can we pause for a few minutes OR can you give me some space to regroup?"
When used effectively, scripting CAN BE a great form of masking well-done.  Masking is OKAY when used to fit in to an extent.  As I always say, balance is the key! We want to be authentically ourselves, but sometimes if we want people to approve of us and to not feel uncomfortable when they're near us, we have to mask.  Masking conversations we've rehearsed by hearing someone else say it in person or on a TV show, book, or movie can make it so we can have conversations that flow.

What are some ways you can script?  Do you have scripts for meeting up with friends?  Answering the phone?? Feel free to comment below how YOU script! 

Mom on the Spectrum and Kaelynn Partlow are two female autistic content creators who give such sage advice on autism.  In their videos today, they go through scripting and being autistic.


Happy Tuesday and I'll see ya tomorrow!! 

If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  

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