My 4 yr old son with ASD, will say the same word(s) over and over, literally, until I repeat what he said. I personally feel like he does it to confirm that I understand what he's saying to me, bc his speech is difficult to understand - for the most part only to other people who aren't around him every day, but sometimes even I can't quite figure out what he's trying to say. Your grandson is 9 yrs old though, so probably a whole different situation, but could be a way for the child to ensure he has your attention or interaction, maybe? Just an idea. It's extremely frustrating though! I try my best to be patient and remember that he's not intentionally trying to make me angry, but it definitely is hard to remember sometimes.

This is a common behavior. It can serve various purposes, including communication, self-regulation, and sensory reinforcement and echoing means. The child will then modify these language chunks and sometimes mix the words and phrases they say. You focus on understanding its purpose and providing alternative, more functional communication methods. This can be achieved through speech therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, and other supportive strategies. Start a “behavior journal” to document the restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). RRBs you observe. Note when they occur, what might trigger them, and how the child seems to feel during and after the behavior. This information will help you understand the role these behaviors play in your child’s life.