Repetitive questions from children with autism – Discover 3 solutions

Thousands of parents experience anxiety hearing restricted and repetitive questions from their autistic children. They don’t know how to give their children satisfactory answers and keep them from asking the same questions over and over again.

Why do autistic children ask the same questions?

There can be numerous reasons. But today I will present three main reasons that force an autistic child to obsess over certain sets of questions. Also, I will reveal the solutions so that she can easily control her child’s repetitive questioning behavior.

Demand predictability

We all know that children with autism demand predictability. Predictability can take any form. For example, when autistic children demand predictability, they wave their hands, twist their fingers, head bang, or use complex body movements; these things not only provide predictability but also help them relax and feel happy.

Now, I ask you a question, what do most parents do when their children ask the same questions over and over again?

Well, they also give the same sets of answers over and over again.

And as a result, your children associate your predictable responses with relaxation and happiness. So whenever an autistic child feels anxious, he floods his parents with the same questions to dilute his anxious feelings.

Your very sets of responses become your sources of enjoyment and relaxation. In a way, your answers become medicines. And, every time he needs the drugs, he asks the same questions, the same series of questions, over and over again.

What can you do now? And how can you stop your autistic child if you feel that your answers are actually the main cause of this problem?

The simplest thing you can do is change your answers a little each time. Or you can also add additional information into your answers… Do this move gradually, but carefully, because changing your answers instantly and completely can upset your child’s feelings… If additional information forces your child to ask additional questions for clarity, then it’s a very good sign. In a couple of shakes, he’ll realize that your answers aren’t the exact source of relaxation and enjoyment.

Soon he will stop asking you the same questions and concentrate on something else.

wrong answers

Sometimes parents don’t understand the true source of their child’s anxiety. Consequently, they give wrong answers and make your child even more anxious.

If your child is constantly asking nagging questions, it also means that you probably aren’t giving him the right answers; you are focusing on those responses that are completely useless to him.

Now, what is the correct answer for an autistic child?

Well the correct answer is the answer where you talk about “Impact”.

Yes! Responses that reveal consequences are the desired responses for autistic children. Once you give them the desired answers, they stop asking the same questions over and over again.

In reality, children with ASD find it difficult to talk about their feelings. They don’t know how to talk about certain topics that can paralyze their predictable routines due to consequences. Therefore, they want you to talk about the consequences. They want you to tell them that everything will stay the same and that there will be no terrible change in the impending circumstances.

Let me give you an example. When an autistic child talks about someone’s death, he’s not really worried about the real person; in fact, he is worried about replacement, routines, and the future. He is anxious about the aftermath of the death on his lifestyle and his family.

So if you want to prevent your child from asking the same questions multiple times, talk about consequences in their answers. This will not only satisfy him completely, but it will also connect him to you on a deeper emotional level.

OCD and autism

With obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a person is forced to produce repetitive behaviors. OCD causes a drastic level of anxiety and leads to restlessness, anguish, and worry.

The occurrence rate of OCD in children is almost 2 percent. It affects a child’s thoughts and actions and makes him intensely obsessive… If your child keeps asking the same questions over and over again, that doesn’t mean it’s just ASD. ); it can also occur due to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Now, what exactly should you do if OCD is the main factor behind your obsessive questioning?

Well, first, see a qualified behavior therapist, because behavior therapy is the most common and successful treatment for OCD these days. Help the child to manage compulsion and anxiety through different strategies. Besides this, there are many other ways that can help you deal with your child’s OCD.

For example, when he starts asking you questions, you can immediately assign him a task based on his interest. You can ask him to help you bathe the dog, or you can tell him to ask you questions through pictures; this will make the moments fun for both of you; you can even teach him to paint. This will distract your mind and keep you busy with interesting things.

So if you are tired of your child’s obsessive questions, change his answers a little, talk about the consequences or give him an interesting task. These strategies will certainly help you deal comfortably with his obsessive questions.