Help with speech problems...

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I've noticed increasingly these days that I tend to be a lot more fluent in what I say when I type, rather than when I speak. Often I end up stuttering when I talk, and can barely get words out at times, especially when trying to explain anything (it can sometimes take almost a full minute just for me to get a single sentence out). I was wondering, does anyone know of anything I could use to help me communicate properly? At times I'm tempted to just grab a notebook to carry with me, but that would be a waste of paper (and knowing me, it would probably end up too full of drawings for me to have space to write ). Could anyone please tell me of any devices that I could use, and if they'd be worth getting in my case?

I know a woman who prefers to type on her computer and have the computer do the talking. I felt slightly awkward, at first when we first met but soon it felt natural. Kudos to her for communicating on her own terms and not giving up on what works for her, even if it is unusual.

I wish I knew the name, but there IS a device that creates a sound to confuse feedback so you aren't tempted to "correct" your speech. That prevents one of the biggest causes of stuttering.

Google brought up devices like this:

http://www.speecheasy.com/

Maybe say what you're writting on the computer as you type - if you're in a place it's possible to without looking foolish!

imagine yourself as a character in a movie, on a set somewhere, doing a rehearsal. It helps me to pretend I'm someone else, speaking someone else's words.

I have this problem too. When I need to say something, I'll often freeze up and not know what to say. Sometimes I'll just spit out a preprogrammed response like "I don't know." Then I have to explain myself, and I never have quite the right words. When I do say something, I'll stutter and my voice will crack because I'm nervous. I find it difficult to speak very loudly, and shouting is totally out of the question. But I can type exactly what I want to say with confidence, and I know at least I'll be able to correct something if need be.

That does sound like a good idea, but unfortunately I tend to have problems when I'm out as well, and I think my laptop's a bit too heavy to cart around and type on whenever I need to! ;^^ Maybe a PDA or something might work though. And stevechoi, I'll try what you suggested as well. I have to admit, I'm not sure if that device to help stop stuttering would help me, since I'm not sure if I'm really stuttering, I just can't think of what else to call it. It isn't a proper stutter, but my speech will sort of get "jammed" (at least that's how I describe it), and will barely be able to get any words out, so I'll just keep trying to speak but will only be able to get out the first syllable each time (or just spend the time going "I...I...um..." etc.).

I guess it's more of a stammer than a stutter? I guess they're sort of interchangeable sometimes, but I think they mean different things. It's the same for me too.

They are interchangeable- a stammer and a stutter are the same thing. The former is used more frequently in the UK, and the latter more frequently in the US.