Verbal Communications Differences and Difficulties Sticky

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I read it

Sometimes I struggle to put my thoughts into words and end up saying nothing. When I was little I was selectively mute and was in my own sort of space where I didn't understand a lot of people. I don't experience that now, but there is a tension, sort of a squeezing in my head when there are words in there. When I let go of the words, the squeezing goes away.

Thank you happymusic - although I can (& do) speak & I'm an Aspie, by definition, Autistic Spectrum Disorders features notably include differences or difficulties with communication. I wish more Wrong Planet inhabitants would visit this forum since we are all, to varying degrees, affected. Even those Aspies who are super-chatty (you know who you are) can have obstacles in saying what they mean or saying it properly; hence this forum.

I know!! ! This forum needs a Lemonade Stand. Or an event equally dramatic and compelling. Like a bake sale to attract interest. Or a cake walk. Or......an advertisement of sorts. Tell your WP friends of this forum and not be shy to post.........I know where you live

Currently I am reading a fascinting book, Mapping the Mind by Rita Carter with scientific advisor Christopher Frith (btw: Dr. Frith's wife is THE Professor Emeritus Uta Frith, and she & I have communicated when I applied at University College, London - Uta Frith is remarkable).

About this book, of interest here (developmental): There is a time when toddlers take-in all of what they hear, far beyond what one might expect. That is, they do understand what is being spoken around them, such as their parents. But, two factors: (1) Toddler lack a sophisticated limibic system (emotions, etc) and (2) are unable to formulate the words/speech to adequately express themselves.
What does (1) & (2) equal? The Terrible Twos, or tantrums. This is analagous to Autistic Meltdowns, in many respects.

Throughout this forum, I have noticed many of us (including yours truly) are really meltdown prone, perhaps more than most Aspies? Might be a function of this "development delay" where Broca's & Wernivke's areas are not in tandem. This region is affected in those with ASD's, of course. Interestingly, I do/have taught (chemistry lab sessions) & I do well - what those students do not know, necessarily, is that I'm very scripted and sound somewhat "recorded" or mechanical.

So, tell others about this forum. They will come.

Now, I can brag......as of this morning my acceptance is official to University of Glasgow (Scotland) for their 3 year PhD neuroscience program to begin this autumn. I have more than a master's & research so I am very grateful as Glasgow is tops for research in the sciences (& neuroscience/chemistry, etc). Thought I'd mention, since I'm here (& excited). I shall be relocating, permanently, to Glasgow this summer.

Congratulations, LabPet! Are you nervous to relocate?

I found out a couple of weeks ago that I'll be moving out of my parents' house and into my own place in the next few weeks (low income housing, but in a really good part of town). I'm terrified. My case manager is supposed to be working on getting an aide to come in and help me, but he's not doing it yet, and I'm getting nervous that it will fall through the cracks. My mom is going to have to come help me a lot.

Coincidence! I need to move too. But keep putting it off. I'm scared. Clinging to the old and familiar.

Felt pretty stuck about how to proceed. Then it struck me. Maybe approaching it all non-verbally. And it seemed doable. Thinking about the move in pictures.

But scary. Like then one is really defenseless. ... Like I feel I need a wall of fancy words surrounding me always. Even if keeping that wall up is emotionally very costly to me.

^ Hi Woodfish!

About Q a couple of rectangles above (re: My relocation to Glasgow, PhD program - nervous?): Well, no......Now I am happy since science is 1st. I chose judiciously as getting a strong PhD is indicated & important to situate oneself where there are opportunities. I'll miss Alaska but love the UK & know to find a "home-base" for myself/academics. Since I'm alone (a lot) here, then not too different than anyplace. But, that being said, when I'm in Glasgow I will be more active in knowing other people. At my present University, I was the ONLY Aspie.....
Thank you for your congrats

I hope this forum can attract more WP inhabitants; much popular topics in the Haven for example. I like the science/math forum & maybe more Aspies/Auties will gravitate right here, like a default place. I like Woodfish's articulate post.

Tell your friends. We're looking for attention

I was having some big problems at my new job due to communication difficulties. My boss was unhappy with how I acted in an animal handling class. I apparently ignored the man in charge. Well, I often ignore people. I can't help it. She got upset with me and when I asked her to tell him that I have autism, she wouldn't. She just kept saying, "You handled it wrong. And you should have told me about your autism in your interview. Now it's a big problem." I was getting so stressed out I was having panic attacks before/during/after work. My mom finally called my boss and talked to her and straightened things out. I hate that my mom has to straighten things out for me, but I'm happy they're settle and my boss hopefully understands. She did say that I'm doing the work well, and my mom says that's what matters.

I read this thread. My son is only little and doesn't talk, so I come here to read and learn.

'Words Don't Come Easy'

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNGWH-bAEuM&feature=fvst[/youtube]

My pic (taken in Anchorage)

This is last minute. But it just came to mind, so I'm going to hope someone catches this post before tomorrow. If not, for next time, then.

I'm going out to lunch with my mentor from church tomorrow. Isn't the purpose of lunch usually to converse? I may be able to have a cyclical conversation about my cat for an hour, but aside from that. I'm screwed. My mentor hasn't been around me for that long in a sitting. We usually email, in fact. Do I warn her tha tmy conversation skills are, uh, severely lacking? Or do I just do my best? She knows of my diagnosis, so will she just attribute it to that automatically?

LabPet, I like your picture. I wish I could figure out how to load one.

^ Oh, SuperTrouper (I'm like you in that way - worry worry!), I imagine your mentor from church will be at least understanding of you (and probably much more). Maybe not worry so much. For me, when I'm nervous/worried, then I become even more shy.

Just imagine you're "conversing" to one of us, or someone you are very familiar with and don't worry too much about perceived "mistakes." If conversation is un-natural (understandable), then instead ask her questions about herself. Or, you could bring something to show her of what you do, and your interests (like show and tell)!

Tech Note, about posting a picture: You may open a free account at PhotoBucket. Photobucket will prompt you to upload your photos from your own computer. Then, just click on the Photobucket image you want to share on the Wrong Planet. You'll get a URL that has [img]and[/img] on the ends. Then copy & paste that onto your reply - Viola! Picture posted.

BTW: Same with YouTube videos (I just posed a YouTube video on the previous page here for NV Forum). But on the ends of the URL you'll type [youtube] and then [/youtube]

Hope you all like the special YouTube song I posted here (post before my pic).

Too bad I don't know how to make it smaller. At least it's up. That's me with my service cat, Elsie. She's my best cat friend. She's 13 and I can't live without her, and I think she's the prettiest cat in the world.

My lunch went fine. I stayed very quiet, and my mentor chat chat chatted. Hopefully she's okay with just being with me and me not talking, because sometimes it's the best I can do. After lunch we went to the five below and she got me Bazooka bubble gum. I love that stuff. I figure if she was miserable with me she wouldn't have offered to keep hanging out, right?

Written talk topic

I thought this forum was only for videos and pics to describe emotions and ideas. This is why I did not participate. myold computer was a dinosaur and only for words. But now I have a new machine and this is why I figured I could finally come to this forum.

Now I see everyone's post has something written.

SuperTrouper--What an adorable cat!! ! What all has she been trained to do?

I am always fascinated by cats that defy the "untrainable" stereotype...I know there's more to felines than what they're made out to be.

Cool cat, SuperTrouper

Yes, this thread/forum is for all WP members. Hopefully more will check out this thread & it's certainly applicable for all, by virtue that we're ASD individuals. Glad more are joining in!

Elsie has been trained to come to hand signals or a clicker and touch on command to stop panic attacks/melt downs. For fun, we're working on "paw," but that's proven to be slow going.