How can I help with dd's conversational skills?

[Blossomhill]

She is 7.5 and has an asd.

I would say that is her main need (along with other social skill difficulties)

She has a good vocab but always seems to tune out when I try and converse with her for too long. She actually finds it so so hard.

Dd does surprise me sometimes as she will come out with things that have happened in her day but it always has to be on her terms. If I want to find ut anything specific it is almost painful as she switches off and tunes out.

Any ideas gratefully receieved

I could have written that about my ds. I'll watch this thread with interest.

I remember reading about a way of avoiding questions by making statements about what you've been doing instead. Eg.instead of saying ' Did you have a nice time at school today?' you might say 'I had a good day today. I bought myself some shoes' or something like that, and then just wait. It's supposed to take the pressure off because it's not as direct. Have tried it with DS1 who has no dx but some AS traits and it really works! Find it hard to remember though - I still tend to ask questions and he sometimes does the tuning out thing.

Can't remember where I read it - I'm sure the technique has a name - will try to dig it out.

Thanks Sphil