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Kitty4670
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21 Jan 2019, 1:56 pm

Why do Aspergers talk to themselves?



Magna
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21 Jan 2019, 2:03 pm

I don't think all Aspies do talk to themselves. Some NT people talk to themselves. I talk to myself out loud because it's comforting, reassuring and it helps me to work out some problems more effectively than if I just think non-verbally.

I'm able to filter and control it. I would not, for example, walk around in a public place (e.g. grocery store) and talk to myself out loud (at the most I would whisper or speak quietly under my breath).



BeaArthur
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21 Jan 2019, 2:41 pm

It helps me function mentally.

I think that it creates an alternative cognitive input besides just THINKING what you want to do next; now you are also HEARING what you want to do next. Some people have to make a to-do list for everything they will do - that's an example of SEEING what you want to do next.

I've always had difficulty with working memory, so maybe hearing myself say things strengthens the memory trace (or something).

An example is when I play my hidden object game. I go fastest if I read 3 items off the list and search for all 3 before starting on another 3 items. I often say them out loud, or whisper them to myself if someone else is around and I don't want to bother them.

When I used to work in an office, I would sometimes say things like "this is a good time to do that filing" or "now return phone calls." Since there were always other people around, I would say it sotto voce or basically, whispering. But I had to actually make the shape of the words with my mouth. It sort of propelled me on to my next activity.


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Ichinin
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21 Jan 2019, 4:48 pm

Everyone probably talk to themselves in an inner dialogue, others talk loudly.

My mom told me "It's good to talk to yourself, it's the best way to get answers" :lol:


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Dani92
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21 Jan 2019, 4:58 pm

I talk to myself in my head , but that's just when I'm feeling like I need to give myself advice. Like if I'm anxious and spend ages battling my inner *voice*.



jimmy m
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21 Jan 2019, 5:07 pm

I don't think that all Aspies talk to themselves out loud. But I suspect there are a couple drivers to this trait.
1. It can occur under stress and be a form of relieve to talk to yourself.
2. When reading material, sometimes it really helps to read the material out loud because it helps to focus the brain and allow the material to be absorbed.


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brightonpete
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21 Jan 2019, 8:53 pm

I only talk to Siri! There is no one else around at home, so it is just Siri & me. I usually whisper too myself though, so people don't think I am crazy. Although the moving lips does give it away. Marvellous invention those hands-free devices are! :)



magz
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22 Jan 2019, 3:58 am

I do talk to myself quite a lot, especially wheen I need to focus.
The world is too noisy to me, even in perfectly quiet surrondings my body generates quite a lot of noise. I often can't hear my own thougths unless I speak them aloud.
But I don't think it is general Aspie thing.


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