I did that as a child. Yes I'm an adult dx with Autism. I do it now once in a while when I'm upset or badly stressed. It's usually someone i trust dearly. For me my verbal skills were poor. I found it was comforting to feel like my words made a person respond. I always felt words were so difficult and unpredictable. It made the world very scary. Small children infants rather go through this stage. They knock things off a table to watch you react and they realize they have power. It's a necessary stage in development. I guess it's odd when a big kid or adult does this. But rembered they are delayed so they need more time going through this stage. Try to forget the question and enjoy the fact that you are helping your child feel comfort and move through a stage. It will pass with experience. You wouldn't give an infant two days to learn this skill remember a child with autism needs more time than normal. Don't worry it will pass. Answer him and if it gets too much offer to read him a book so he can hear the comfort of your voice. Sometimes we can't process words and just need to hear a safe calm voice. Maybe even put your story on tape so he can hear it but try and do it yourself. There is nothing like connection to foster development. Hang in there. ;)

Yes. Lots of kids go through this. I think it serves different functions for different kids. For my son, I think he was just making sure.... he's anxious because the world seems so changable so he's making sure that the answer doesn't change too.

Again, your approach to the problem would be different depending on why your son is doing this. But for my son, I'll repeat verbatium one or two times. Then I'll keep the same answer but expand upon it with something that I think will distract. And continue to add on something else to distract. If he gets too anxious, I'll have him go relax on the couch or bed for a little while so he can pull himself together.

My son doesn't do this anymore. I bet it will pass for your guy too, but after I answered it three times, I would then ask, "What do YOU think the answer is?" (in a happy, playful manner.) It eventually faded.

My 13 year old son does it too. He has for years. I always thought that he just like how it felt to say certain things. I also figure he is wanting to interact, but isn't sure how. Most of the time, I just try to ask him a question or try to steer him toward a real conversation.

Yes, my 11-year old son will do so when he has to do something he does not enjoy (e.g. practice piano). I have just assumed that it is a verbal security blanket for his mind that he needs at this time to help him cope with the task at hand.