Is this a form of the "using parent as a tool" par

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My hyperlexic child likes to use the computer paint program to draw (not type, but recreate, using drawing tools) various typefaces and fonts. He will ask us to stand behind him and "teach him" how to do it by verbally giving him the steps for each letter. Here is the thing: He does this a lot and we <b>know</b> he knows how because he gets cranky if we tell him the wrong thing.

He has a script in his head that he expects us to know (We don't remember all of it, and sometimes we don't even know, if it is a new font) I know that ASD children love to make (rigid) scripts, and while I am glad he wants to interact with us, he also gets irritated when we don't do it "right."

He also does the scripted pretend play, which is easier because it is easier to remember the scripts and he is more tolerant of variations. I don't think I can substitute pretend play for this though. I really think he needs us to "help" him make letters. I downloaded a free open source fontmaker (fontforge) but it it too complex and frustrates him, even though he likes the idea of it. Even then he wants us to "help."

Does anyone have similar experiences? Is this usual?

Scripting can be useful, but it can also be trouble if they get so rigid. I think it would be good to help him be more flexible with that. If he knows how to do it, then just prompt him, "You know how to make it, give it a try." I wouldn't help him unless he actually didn't know it. It seems like he just wants to complete the ritual.

If you do need to help him. and it is an activity that he really enjoys, it should be reinforcing enough that he can learn to cope with a non-scripted dialogue. He may be cranky at first, but once you break through that it may be a great tool to learning flexibility, conversation, and problem solving.

You know what? I didn't even realized this is what's going on with my kiddo until I read your post!
Yes......my son has this behaviour where he will be doing something I know he can do and has done before and then ask me for 'advice' or what they said.....this makes me VERY anxious....because I don't always know the answer and he gets so frustrated and irritated with me and them keeps on asking me, but he knows the exact answer or he knows what he wants me to answer, but I dont!! !!

Something else...he will build a lego creation, perfect, as the picture shows it...but then can't get it balanced EXACTLY as on the front of the box....this has lead to meltdowns! He just dont understand that they use computers exct to make the image look a certain way on the front of the box!AHHHHHH

That sounds more similar to the way my son used to "test" me. With my son I felt it was his way of checking on and testing our interpersonal connection, and making sure I was paying attention to him. Drove me nuts, actually. I had to have long conversations with my son letting him know that just because I don't memorize every tidbit of wisdom ever to come out of his mouth, and just because I don't hang on his every word, does not mean I don't love him with all my heart, and have an intense interest in what he does. That took a while for him to grasp. I guess he needed it to be tangible.

I did not think about it as a reassurance/relationship testing thing, but it might just be. He also likes to go on a monologue and either ask "Mommy, what did I just say?" or ask a pointed oral comprehension testing question about his brain dump to see if I was paying attention.

I did not think of that as being related to the "teach me how" (to do something I already know) phonomena.

edited to say, "Thank you." (I need to work on my social skills, just like my little guy does. )