Their talk, our talk

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It seems agreed that Aspies speak in a very different style than Neuro Typicals. I gave this a lot of thought and labeled these two styles Aspish and Typish. That said I'd like to solicit opinions and experiences on what characteristics these two dialects have to you. Also, do you agree that there is such a thing as Aspish and Typish? Why or why not? In order to have a conversation where we can all learn and grow, I encourage those who see any challenge to your fixed mind set as an excuse to demean and berate to simply read this post. Thank you.

Aspies have a tendency to speak in more of a formal manner than most neurotypical people.

It's akin to the difference between a neurotypical from the 19th century, and a present-day neurotypical.

Most people, in those days, speak like Aspies do now.

I don't know about a different style, but Aspies do tend to be more honest. People are so used to others lying to them, they think you are lying to them as well, when you are actually telling the truth.

If you mean in the relationship area, then I don't think it's so much a difference in how we talk, but the role of talking in courtship. For NTs, approaching and talking plays a central role in their courtship, but not so for NDs. For one thing, many of us just won't (naturally) go up and talk to a girl/guy we find interesting, and that's because our courtship doesn't work that way.

I do speak a lot more at face-value.
"Aspish" has all the implied information put to words, in Aspish, "I'm tired" means just that: a statement, the speaker is tired.
"Typish" more often than not has several layers and unspoken, implied meanings. "I'm tired" has the added meaning of 'let's go home to sleep', which Aspish doesn't have; an aspie will add that sentence to the statement, making in explicit.

Aspies speak in a monotone voice.

That is not what OP meant, and it also is not true; i have semi-normal inflections naturally.

I also don't speak in a monotone voice. Which is odd because I think in a monotone, if that makes sense. The inflections in my voice are very much affectation to sound more normal, and are ingrained so deeply that I can't stop it. I agree that autistics often speak more formally, because we often value being clear.
Also, for people with speech issues (like me) often you don't speak completely in your native accent I've found. Directness is also there - you say what you need to say and don't mince words.

Is there really such an animal as a "neurotypical"? I've often wondered that, as non-Autistics seem to vary so widely in their neurology. What qualifies one as typical?

I speak more formally than the average person and have often been told i "use big words." (this last from my very NT SIL) I don't even think about it when i do it. I also speak slowly when i am trying to think what to say, but too fast when i have planned what to say beforehand. Much of my speech is either pre-scripted in my head, or a variation on a conversation i have had previously. Such as small talk. Much of small talk is fairly easily learned and varies very little. After reading about how autistic people think vs. how NTs think, i realized i think mostly in pictures, sensory impressions (such as smells, tastes, happy or sad feelings that come to me through music, etc) and a few soundbites such as music. I can replay music in my head, sometimes in 4-part acapella harmony or hearing the individual instruments of a familiar song. Very few of my thoughts are my own thoughts put into words unless i translate them into such. I had never really analyzed it before--it never occurred to me that i might think differently than anyone else. That is why i speak slowly if it is unrehearsed.

I don't do well speaking on something i have not rehearsed unless it is in my area of special interest. When i get excited about something, i talk too fast. Monotone? Not so much. But that is probably because i have always practiced putting expression into my face and voice. That was drilled into me from a young age, i think either by my mother or my aunt who was also my school teacher.

I don't know if there is an "aspish" way of speaking. But i can sometimes pick out an aspie by listening to his/her speech.

You know....there really isn't such thing as a "neurotypical."

The term "neurotypical" is used, frequently, merely as a indicator that a person is not autistic, and has "typical" neurology, in general.

I use the term NT for lack of a better term. You are right, we are all different and the only thing normal is that there is no one totally normal out there. I use NT to mean someone who is not autistic. In the case of my SIL, someone very obviously lacking many of the characteristics of spectrumites. Autism is a spectrum; so is the NT world.

^Exactly! All cats have Aspergers, after all! My voice actually changes a lot depending on my mood, but I always speak truthfully.

Thank you Captain Obvious!



Everyone knows that the phrase neurotypical is an imprecise grab bag. But the alternative:"normal" is even more insufficient.

And everyone on this thread is using the phrase "NT" to mean "not autistic". So why are you informing us all that the phrase means the very thing that we all are already using the phrase to mean? Isnt that kinda silly?

I was agreeing with an earlier contributer to the thread.

I know Waldo is Aspie. He can't keep eye contact for long, he hates huggie smoochie time, he definitely needs his alone time, he doesn't like a lot of noise and he loves a routine - he gets upset if we both aren't in bed on time or when our routine changes because of work or school.