Verbal Communications Differences and Difficulties Sticky

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Googling "Eliminate" didn't do me any good. Do you know the company name?

Yah, pen and paper would be as good as a white board, except perhaps when you need something they can read on the other side of the table. As long as I have a good sense of the kinds of options available, it will be easier to start talking about this.

Thanks for all the info.

so i havent posted on here in awhile until somebody brought this to my attention again, i think im losing more and more of my attention span, either way wonderng how everybody is doing? we had our autism walk and autism benefit car show this past weekend...

Saturday i didnt sleep the night before but had some gluten free soup which i loved only gluten free thing i eat lol, and off we went, well somebody asked if i was low functioning i stood in ther entrance where it was the most windiest and headshook, and just became fixated on the sign above me blowing the wind like a good half hour, i didnt speak once jus some signs basic signs, i went from table to table cuz there was autism fair there, looking and feeling all the rubber on the pens trying to feel the best one, no luck. I met some of the characters, bugs bunny, elmo, cookie monster, mickey and buster from blueclars, well i picked at their hair and watched it blow in the wind made their hands clap, made them twirl me in circles rubed my hands all over their fur. for some odd reason as much as somebody tells me theirs a person inside i dont understand or grasp it, anyways, the walk started we did 3 laps, which was fun, i flapped, headshook, i love to rock while standing also, jus normal stuff, i also somehow bit my lip and blood was everywhere, and my eyes hurt due to the sun so i punched myself a couple times to relieve that, before the walk started i got upset cuz it was taking long so i tried to bite jim, and poke him in the eyes, and then punch myself, while going into whining fits to giggling fits. After that we went to a car shoot for him, which i jus clapped everybodys hands, spun, ran back and forth, ppl ask me questions or how am i i jus reply with ello, idk why its sorta a reaction, i carry my rubber keyboard around wherever i go literally wherever i go even my new pan with a rubber handle i love hehe. Anyways after that we had a schedule change i melted down, not a good time, more plans got changed, but we did a walk to help relieve some added stresse which helped some the stares i get when i walk around is crazy i do a lot of self injurious behviors if upset anywhere i go well after i foudn out the ride i wanted to go on at the boardwalk wasnt up, i started hitting myself in the face, we had to quickly hurry back to the car, i love to wail myself with punches in my jaw, my chin, my eyes, my cheeks everywhere, if were next to somthing i headbang .

Sunday, was our car show for autism, which was fun, we went to ihop for breakfast i was at my lowest/stimmiest moment, i was all over only using the words where lady and gatorade the whole day, then we went to the show where everybody knew i had autism, but everybody was so nice, when we were there jim had to leave me to go see something while i was in the car, one of his friends walked up and was like can u be left alone? i jus shrugged as i rubbed my pan handle against my face rocking occasionally flapping. A couple days before that i was texting oen of his friends to relay a msg to jim, and his friend told jim he was shocked in amazement i had real thoughts, he didnt know cuz i never spoke, like jus cuz we cant speak we dont think either, it was weird but whateve i let it go, like i always do. anyways at the show jim got a 100 dollar certificate for audio for his car, hes turnin his car into an autism car complete with puzzle pieces as vinyl graphics, which is fun. everybody was so supportive, and sweet, they pat me on my head, tickle me, talke to me like im 2, i dont eve have conversations, one time one of his friends sat in teh car with me to hang with me for a bit i was eating some candy put in his lap see if he wanted any he said no i was listenin to jonas brothers he danced to try to get me involved, i jus sat there rocking biting and rubbing my keyboard this time, he talked to me asked me some questions i didnt reply i jus sorta pulled out more stimmy toys and put them in his lap like my fettucini ball he put on his head to be silly then on my head, then smiled pat me on the head and left. it was a typical interaction with me. then we went to jims work, where i sat in the back sleeping in the chair which i found out i even rock and bite in my sleep lol, then we went home and slept hehe. Thats was my typical weekend .

how was everybody elses weekend, what ya do ?

_________________
Being Normal Is Vastly Overrated

Hi Age1600! Lab Pet has missed you - good you had fun at your Autism walk & benefit last weekend.

I've developed a new module for my immunocytochemistry (=ICC) technique. I sautered copper wire onto split rings and fashioned 'neural nets' using amphibican netting. The neural tissue I've cut is @ 30 micro (via instrument) so the netting was quite apparently too rigid and risks tearing the delicate neural tissue. I know my pH range so I'm confident about incorporating nylon into my ICC procedure.

So...I actually went to a Craft/Fabric store (don't laugh); I needed chiffon, or equivalent. I bought bridal veil, made from toule. The (embarrassing?) part: The clerk asked if I was the bride, and about wedding season! Oh no. I couldn't really verbally answer and would have no idea how to possibly describe/explain WHY I needed bridal veil (for my laboratory). Anyway, I got a FREE bag of bridal buttercream mints, individually wrapped. Each candy wrapped is printed "Thank you for sharing our special day" and has a picture of silver wedding bells and ribbon. Geez. So I brought my 1 lb bag of bridal mints to lab. My advisor/PI nearly made himself sick - he ate quite a lot of bridal mints. I suggested they could be donated to the Chemistry Dept. secretary who has a communal candy dish - he did.

Do I get extra-credit for this endeavor? But my neural nets work beautifully and I've renovated the technique.

Hi again -

I am still trying to come to terms with a lot of the way I was forced to communicate.

I also was walled off and can still get that way on ocaasion.

However, I am not wanting to communicate anymore and I do not understand why someone wants to.

It's really weird. When I could not I would think of all these words to say and be very upset. Now that I can communicate and have mastered the art of "social Mimicky" which someone on her so wisely described, now I findit was idiotic. Most of the interactions I have had wth people have been:

1. Harmful
2. Stupid- just social masturbation
3. irritating

Most have not lead to anything meaningful.

When Iw as mute:

1. I could carry a thought to a very long length. I could formulate ideas because I was not interrputed.
2. I could compose poetry and write.
3. I could feel things more deeply.
4. I was able to discern the way things worked.
5. Many many others

Now I am feeling like an average idiot. I do not like ti

Sorenna: What you wrote does make sense, in that speaking/verbal can detract from thinking. For me, speaking becomes tiresome - fast. And just not congruent with my thoughts. But I do speak when I must.

Oh, just an update (Anemone will be interested): I had to replace my alphasmart...sigh. But I use mine a lot and electronics have a finite lifespan. Anyway - new information. I just ordered a new NEO ($219) AND, guess what, a Text 2 Speech Kit supplement for the NEO ($129). I know that's pricey but I'm a graduate student (and very academic - sciences) so I need my NEO.

I believe some medical insurance can cover for NEO, or any alphasmart product, since it's a facilitated speech device. When my taxes were prepared my alphasmart purchase was deductible as a medical expense.

Received Text-to-Speech device in the mail but, admittedly, haven't yet installed the software to NEO. This is a sacrifice I had to make for my academic program; without I resort to just writing which is disadvantgeous. Verbal speaking, by others, is the dominant form and writing is dependent upon reader, so this is the logical choice.

BUT I CANNOT STOP CRYING!! ! I feel as if I've relinguished my own voice. I can speak, and do - somewhat. But now that I'll present (verbally, via mechanical) my voice is no longer mine. With assurance, no other grad student knows what this is like, nor any faculty. I'll try to get over this transition - hard.

Separately, as some may know already: I do have an advocate (sort-of); she's a public health nurse. Nice lady but truly doesn't 'get it.' And no amount of explaining, explaining, explaining, will ever insert the data into her Neurotypical brain. Quite sure I'd do better without. Anyway, she's on holiday (yeah!) so don't neeed to do her for a while, at least. Time consuming pain.

She had instigated a once-a-month meeting with 3 others I know well and trust. Theorectically, this is ok except I'm not present during this. The others I'm fine with but not this nurse/advocate. Later, after this 1st meeting, I found from my friend in attendance that she did say to the other (totally without my knowing), that she is aware I communicate with other ASD individuals, in reference to Wrong Planet.

Her stance, which she stated to the others, is this is bad. Her reasoning? This then separates me from the 'real' society and others. Unbelievably ridiculous! Further, she knows NOTHING of this community for ASD individuals, who we are, what we do, etc. And she's oblivious about autism as well.

I am hurt she didn't tell me this was what she was thinking - I had no idea. Then for her to say this 'in secret!' Quite distrubing and now I feel I must justify/explain that I certainly may communicate with others of my own kind - just inane. I'm a scientist and function well; beyond presumptous of her. Just yuck.

Sorry for the whiny post - rather distraught with her and the preconceptions.

Hello LabPet,
am sorry if haven't understood-but why not use both the device and real voice-just having TTS doesn't mean have to give up any verbal ability that do have,why not use the machine for speaking when finding it too difficult to do physically?
this is what am do,as have usually got a part of the day/every day when brain switches speech back on [though limited/echolalic].

It sounds like that lady needs to look at the ADA,as she is leaving self out of things because of disability,and instead of using WP as something bad against self,she should be on here reading it,
or get some books or DVDs on autism.
And if people were not to understand about why are using the TTS at one time,but not another-teach them to understand,write a blog about own experiences and show them.

Have had similar experiences with people passing on info [after giving links to own blog and WP to trusted support staff,someone had passed them onto other staff,service/home managers and LD nurse].
don't want to make things worse,but be careful about posting on the boards viewable by anyone on WP [think thats all apart from members only], as may end up in trouble or lose job,have seen what some support staff write about the council [who they work for] on their facebook accounts,and they say they could lose their jobs if the managers read it.

Hello KingdomOfRats, and others: You're right about using the Text-to-Speech Program; I only intend to use this when I have to give a verbal presentation. I do prefer to write, but NTs are verbal so need 'a voice' sometimes too. I can and do speak - but need to feel comfortable.

So sorry those at your facility aren't too 'Autistic friendly.' Do wish you had more freedoms since you have so many friends here.

Since I'm in academics & research I do have this indepence, but am still 100% Autistic - Really wish various neuro/psych often do not recognize this discrepency.

One who just joined, Stephanielynnkeil, will join us.

About your May 4th post: Yikes!

I have some friends from Alaska staying with me now and they say this winter they had 63 below weather and were dumping coal in their heater every two hours. That is lung-freezing. How did you cope?

I loved your story about the fabric purchase. I'm interested in your techniques.

Hello all. I have not visited here for awhile as I have been immersed in social skills classes. They are run by a local charity for people with autism. Generally the experience is a positive one and I do believe I am learning useful things. Some of the other people using the service are not overly verbal, but I am the only one who has identified themselves as being mute and placed importance on the recognition of this. Unfortunately I had a really bad experience on Wednesday and since it was related to being mute this is the first place I thought to come for advice.

What follows is a really long letter. I have blanked out the specific details as I am unsure whether to actually give this letter to those involved. I would hate to decide not to then find out someone identified the situation written about here and passed the letter on regardless.

But I do need to share this with people, if not those involved, because I was supremely hurt.

The people who run the workshop need this information. You are not rude or obnoxious in this letter telling people who meant well that they did not do well. I would send it.

ViatorRose: You are articulate and wrote a cogent letter. An observation.....often neurotypicals (socio/verbal) do not consider the logic of their choices but act upon their standards which are dictated by arbitrary social standards. As defined by them. Being NV give the reader a great deal of power so you/we are at a disadvantage. Here's why: READING is interactive and takes some effort on 'others' part whereas one who SPEAKS is communicating to 'other' where they are passively taking in the message. Verbal is naturally more palatable to Neurotypicals. That's a hard step for them to take but the NV route not lesser!

KingdomOfRats video on Makaton is beautiful - I love to watch her sign. And this does require her 'listener' to WATCH her words instead of just passively listening. And KoR writing is always true-to-life. Not to bash neurotypicals, but much of their speech is merely filler.

Therefore, your letter is necessary. As to whether they'll read, then think - who knows. Maybe they'll reconsider their actions in the future.

You could write some 'ground rules' so they know how to better associate with an intelligent NV Autist (you) instead of their neurotypical autopilot. Might consider getting an advocate to implement this too. ViatorRose - I stand behind you 100% if you choose to send your letter. They did force you into a disabling situations which is pretentious at best. Your leaving was right.


Hello lelia: I love Alaska and somehow acclimate to the cold. A big plus for me is that wintertime darkness doesn't bother me. I feel sorry for those who suffer with the dark...seasonal affective disorder. If the inside is warm and cozy (like your friend's place) then winter is nice; I exercise inside and stay busy in my laboratory. I think staying active is the key.

I am innovative in my lab procedure and there's nothing I won't try....good my advisor, others, have a sense of humor
Being a chemist involves creativity and some mechanical sense too.