Communication problems.

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How would you describe your communication problems (if you have autism/AS)?

I think i can communicate pretty well via writing, have severe trouble speaking and no idea about non--verbal stuff like body language, facial expressions etc.

I have problems with getting thoughts into words. I have no ability whatsoever to understand facial expressions or body language, and often confuse tone of voice.

i can type out my feelings very good, but when speaking it is mostly nonsense and random giberish. i am prefered non-verbal for that reason.

I go completely blank in new situations (i.e. meeting women) and can't think of anything to say until it's too late (like last night when two girls were flirting with me). As well, I find it very difficult to put my thoughts into words (almost like an NT trying to describe what love is). I also struggle to understand body language and misinterpret it (both for good and bad) all the time.

I'm not good at expressing a clear idea when put on the spot. Sometimes my phrasing is awkward or I provide too little or too much detail. I can't read people's expressions to judge how well I'm communicating.

When I express something that is important to me, people misinterpret how much or little of a deal it is to me. I guess I can be too blunt or direct sometimes and don't use body language enough.

As for written work, I am a little bit better at communicating thanks to editing and re-editing my work.

When I am under stress, I can lose the ability to speak.
Stress can come from any number of things, many of which seem quite minor to others.

Often times, I can hide that this has happened - I have a reputation for being quiet which I hide behind. But I find it incredibly frustrating.

In some circumstances when I lose speech and I am expected to speak (for example to engage with a doctor or whatever), I am able to type or write my responses. However, when I am very stressed or distressed, I cannot manage this (or my responses become single typed words which do not help the situation move forward).

I also struggle to ask questions either verbally or in "live" typing conversations. I don't know why but I find it almost impossible. Which is frustrating because it means I often leave appointments etc more frustrated because I didn't get answers to the questions I wanted to ask, only the information they decided to give me.

In terms of understanding others I tend to do OK, but I often miss body language and intonation and take things seriously that are meant to be a joke, don't respond to questions (because I haven't recognised them as such, and various other things that make my responses sometimes seem "off" to others.