My son is 5 years old and currently awaiting an ASD assessment after having seen SALT for 9 months. He has experienced no developmental delays, but displays a number of other 'red flags' i.e. intense interests, certain repetitive types of behaviours etc.
He talks with a noticeable American accent (none of our family are American) which I know can be a symptom.
One thing I have been unable to find information on, is that he repeats certain 'phrases' - although not phrases from TV shows or things that have been said to him (echolalia) - but just things he seems to like to say. It's usually silly nonsense stuff like 'Mummy, you are a silly pie' (meaning an actual pie!), 'Mummy is so silly, because she is annoying' (but in a sing-song silly way that is not cruel, if you see what I mean). Other times it has been 'I'm going to fart on you!'. There's just lots of these little phrases that he seems to say lots throughout the day - they don't seem to have any particular relevance to what's happening - almost like outbursts, or if he has nothing else to say, for example.
I'm wondering if this is some kind of difficulty with communication/conversation? Has anyone else experienced something similar? He doesn't tend to do this when we're in SALT appointments etc as it would usually just be at home/in the car/out and about etc.
Perhaps it is just an attention thing? Or maybe all I've asked him repeatedly to stop staying them, but he almost comes out with them automatically.