Talking up a Storm

I sat in my kitchen next to Claire with my computer for 15 Minutes and I typed everything that she said. She likes to talk and repeat things a lot. Hopefully this will help you understand more about Claire--and Autism in general--in light of my previous posts, and potentially, upcoming posts.

Things you need to know about the context of this experiment:

“Pagh” and “Shark” are friends of ours that Claire has given nicknames too. (Steven Pagh, and Alyssa Sharp. And there are a few other names that are also mentioned.)

Also, there is one point where I added one thing my Mom said to Claire in order to give you context and show how Claire thinks through things, but the rest of it is every single word that Claire said!

(On the Phone) “Who’s coming over Pagh?

(Sitting In the Kitchen)How about Pagh?

                        How about Pagh?

                        I like Pagh.

                        How are you Sloan?

                        Who’s coming over Sloan?

                        I wanna read my list off to Sloan?

                        Ok. That’s a great idea Claire.

                        Alyssa. Alyssa. Alyssa. I want Alyssa to come over.

                        I want Shark to come over Erin.

                        How are you Brian?

                        Brian, who’s coming over?

                        Brian, who’s coming over?

                        Brian? Who’s coming over Brian?

                        I want Shark to come over,

I want Shark to come over, I want Shark to come over.

                        Erin. Erin. Erin. Erin. Erin. I want Shark to come over, Erin.

(Leaving Message) Call me back Shark, Bye.

                        Sloan, I want Sloan.

(On the phone) I like Meg Iliff.

                        How are you Meg? Who’s coming over? (hangs up)

(Kitchen)            Who’s coming over?

                        I want Shark, I want Shark.

                        Who’s coming over?

                        I’m calling Laura.

                        (Laughing to herself at Laura’s answering machine)

                        I wan’t shark to come over Brian.

                        Ok. Don’t worry Claire.

                        Who’s coming over Brian.

                        Shark is coming over.

                        Pagh is coming over Claire! I’m so excited!

(Calling Pagh) How are you Pagh?

                         Who’s coming over Pagh?

                        Tokar! That’s a great idea Pagh!!!

                        Who’s coming over Pagh?

(Kitchen)            (Chuckling) Mom. I don’t wanna hang out with mom.

                        You don’t have to Claire. No you don’t have to.

                        No you don’t have to Claire. You don’t have to Claire.

                        That’s right. I’ve been saying I wanted Sloan to come over Mom.

                        I wanna think of names of who’s coming over,

I wanna think about it, Mom.

Mom?            Shark. Shark. Alyssa Shark. I want Alyssa Shark to come over!

I want someone to come over!

(Chuckling) I want someone to come over.

Who do you want to come over? I don’t know who I want.

I wanna talk about it Mom. Mom?

I’d like to talk about who’s coming over Mom.

Who would you like to come over Claire?

I would like…. uhh.. . I would like. . . .someone . . . 

I would like Veronica.

I want Shark to come over Momma.

I want Shark to come over.

That is a great idea Claire.

Pooh Bear. MOM. MOOOOM. MOM. I’m hungry.”

(Mom: “Do you want a grilled peanut butter and jelly Claire?”)

“NO! I wanna think about it, OK.

I wanna decide for myself so I can think about it.

I would like umm . . . umm.  I would like some lunch mom.

What would you like for lunch Claire?

I would like a grilled peanut butter and Jelly for lunch!

That’s a great idea Claire!

I just wanna do it when I’m ready. Ok.

We know you wanna do it when you’re ready Claire.

That’s right. I need some bread. (Chuckling) look, bread,

I want some bread, I want some bread, I want some bread.

I have to get the bread out, I need help. I just got it out.

Erin, erin, erin. Where are you going? Where are you going Erin?

Who’s coming over, who’s coming over? Maybe Sloan will come over, Maybe Laura will come over Claire.

Maybe Laura will. Well she will.

Maybe she will, maybe she will come over. I want Alyssa to come over.”