speech problems and AS

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I know that one of the differences between AS and HFA is that there isn't a language problem in AS. But is it only delayed speech that is makes it HFA? As I child I was in speech therapy once because I spoke too softly and a few years later for specific sounds. But it wasn't delayed, I think I spoke during normal years.

I have very few noticable characteristics of AS, unless you know what you are looking for. I don't do eye contact but don't think a lot of people notice. I can pass for NT (not that I want to. I'd rather be recognized as having AS so people will understand how hard normal activities are.) But as long as I have enough time alone, and that the only times I am around people are church, teaching (special ed so there are a lot of adults and kids), babysitting (one child non verbal but does makes sounds), I am ok. If I were around adults or if the child I babysit could speak, it would be different, them most people seem to think I'm NT.

Yet I still wonder, even though I can act so NT, does the fact that I was in speech therapy mean I'm HFA instead of AS? Or can I have AS and still have been in speech therapy?

Now, as an adult my speech is ok.

Uhura

AS people are hyperlexic. If the speach therapy wasn't for grammer or words, I doubt it has a bearing on AS. At least one person here stutters sometime. That is not THAT unusual, and is probably more likely in any autistic person. ALSO, AS people have a really strong interest in something. And no significant mental problems, other than social.

Steve

Between kindgergarden and 2nd grade I was in speech class.(which I assume is the same as therapy) Not sure for the specific reasoning behind it but it's was probably for similar reasons. People still say I'm hard to understand when I speak now.

I didn't really say much until I was four and started attending speech school. Ever since then, I've been talking non-stop! I know my mom did say I read the words "thank you" on a trashcan once when I was three and she was just shocked. lol I was already reading books like "The Best Nest" when I was four, though, so that speech class really did help. I remember being in there and having the toughest time pronouncing my F's. I'm well over that now. Actually, I was over that by kindergarten, so yeah.

I was not easily understood by stranger until I was 7 which was quite frustrating in the school tuck shop. I just had to point to the lolly pop selection as it was the only way I could be understood.

I was in speach therapy for my entire elementary life. Why, I really don't know? But I remember not being able to get my thoughts accross so they could be understood. I hated it so. I remember I couldn't pernounce the 'SH' words. But for my entire elementary school years. I think there might have been more to it.

I also didn't learn how to read until I was in 2nd grade.

They told me I had mild dyslexia. All I got mixed up were the lowercase d/b and the 2/5 on digital clocks. But I fixed that problem myself. Such a thing couldn't hinder me from learning how to read.

Special classes for math. I remember not understanding how to count money.

A special class was made for me and this other kid who couldn't write correctly. But it got scrapped after a week.

But I loved to draw and work with clay all the time. I never liked to color in coloring book. I would just draw on the back covers where there was nothing printed on them. And I remember I made an angel ornamant for christmas when I was in kindergarden and my mom and teachers really liked it and said I had real talent.

They gave me an IQ test and found out I was 'well above average'. Never gave me the number though.

But after elementary school everything turned out better learning wise. I read at a college level. I Was helping my friends out on math work. I actually had to dumb down my vocabulary because they would stop me and ask what this or that word ment.

I guess I was a really slow starter but picked up quickly.