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Gosh I feel at home here.

I have trouble with run on talking about nothing at all. I think it is anxiety and me filling up the space with nothing at all. I don't do it as much with people I know well.

I also have trouble with finding the right way to say something or even getting the right word out. I can't tell you how many times a word finally comes out and it's not quite the right word. Then the eyebrows all go up or worse people start laughing.

Yeah, same here.

I'm pretty articulate when I write, and can *almost* express my feelings (though I'm not really all that successful with my NT friends).

If I try to talk about my feelings, however, I drop into a meltdown almost immediately. It's like there's a big switch in my head that's labeled "emotion ON/OFF" - I can flip it when I'm alone and, while I may be racked with anger or sadness, it's private and I can continue to write rationally. If I'm with another person, though, I loose everything and turn into a complete mess.

There were plenty of times in the past where I tried to communicate openly with friends - the results were pretty hideous, even with the few who I still remain friends with. I was in my thirties before I realized that "talking about it" didn't actually help, perhaps because the people I was talking to couldn't really grasp at a fundamental level why the things that bothered me were a problem in the first place. Trying to explain how hard it is to cope in a social situation, how utterly exhausting, to a friend who has never felt or experienced the immense effort required for someone with AS to operate under that pressure (and keeping in mind that at the time I had no idea that this was not *normal*, that others didn't have the same difficulty) is bloody useless.

I used to be terrible with people I didn't know well - I'd babble endlessly about things that, in retrospect, I know they weren't interested in. Nowadays, I just say nothing. I find I have an even harder time around women, though that's certainly a result of the added interrelationship tension (is she single, does she like me, what should I say... Gah!). My mind goes completely blank.

But, I can always write. Funny how that seems to be so common here...

Nick

I find spoken communication easier if there is a script to follow. Money transactions, everyday greetings/chitchat, anything formulaic, I'm fine.

Having to think on my feet, process new information, hear and remember dates, times and other details: hopeless!

Writing is my preferred medium.

I'm always saying things the wrong way and literally getting in trouble for it. It's one thing around my family (even though even they can get offended they do get over it and accept my apologies mostly) but it is completely different at work (where everything you say can and shall be used against you without any room for mercy.) I have decided that out of the house it is best to just to keep quiet and answer any questions as concisely and as carefully as possible (especially in the work environment where people are constantly trying to entrap you so they can get rid of you.)*

*I am a very paranoid person, so please don't think I mean this in an absolute sense. I feel that there are people who have wished me harm, but not all people and not always.

Me too.

I also tend to talk too quietly, but if I try to talk more loudly, I over-do it and people think I'm angry. I'd rather be quiet than sound angry.

Yep i do that too.

And i mumble sometimes and people dont understand me. Someone once nicknamed me Mumbles.