Why do I script conversations?
Social scripting is a common coping strategy used by people with autism or ADHD to manage social interactions. It involves mentally rehearsing conversations, preparing specific phrases, or replaying past dialogues to prepare for future ones. For neurodivergent individuals, scripting helps reduce the stress of spontaneous communication and makes it easier to navigate social situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming or unpredictable.
While everyone prepares for important meetings, neurodivergent scripting is often a constant, daily effort to bridge the gap in social communication. It’s a part of "masking"—the exhausting process of performing social cues to fit in. You might find yourself "collecting" phrases from movies or other people to use later, or practicing how to say "hello" in your head ten times before walking into a room. This isn't just being prepared; it’s a way of managing a world that often feels like it's speaking a different language. It takes a huge amount of mental energy, which is why many people feel completely drained after a simple social outing.
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