Published on 12, July, 2020
This thread is the result of a discussion with Out of Step but also something I've been thinking about this past year, since diagnosis.
Years ago, when my friend was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, as was, I skim read some of his book: The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood.
One section resonated.
I can't check out the wording now as I don't own it but it was about how autistic people may not speak as non autistic people do and may not use the language commonly used by their peers.
They may, for example, use what used to be called 'BBC English' as my mother did and I do, despite being working class and having gone to working class schools.
We didn't pick up a local accent.
However, some people may pick up the accent but be fascinated by words and use uncommon words.
Also, when I was at school I used words no-one knew the meaning of.
I did actually use a dictionary a lot when I was reading and learnt these more unusual words (and mispronounced them, as I still do) so that's probably part of the reason why.
My mother also used words I'd never heard anyone else use and said that when she was young she would read the dictionary.
She also constantly used the old sayings and phrases (eg a stitch in time saves nine) and I find my speech peppered with these phrases and anachronistic words.
I think that this difference also extends to speech patterns.
Anyone else experience similar and have any knowledge about this to add?
Thanks.
Is anyone with me on accepting a challenge....?
"In real life to shoe-horn the word MEGAKNOB into general conversation with an acquaintance or stranger tomorrow".
Naughty!
Yeah, maybe you could mumble it. And when they go 'wh-what, what was that?' craning their necks to hear, you go 'you know - megablob?', they go 'excuse me, what?', 'bob, bob, yeah I'm thinking of getting my hair cut, it's new - it's called a mega-bob'
I had an encounter recently, they asked me a question, I was attempting to formulate an answer from the myriad things ricocheting round my nut. You know how it is. But not responding quickly enough, meant that they jumped in, started repeatedly repeating the question, only now, they are mouthing the words super-exaggeratedly and talking really really loud, rather than autism I'd apparently become deaf as a post, had a lobotomy and could no longer comprehend basic english???
I was thinking along the lines of a giant hob nob.
I don't think talking louder would help if you couldn't speak English! I've taken to going "one minute............" to give me time to access info and string it together
What if you're trying to get that last gherkin out of the jar? The words 'slippery' and 'eel' spring to mind. It could be a fourer.
I deliberately downgraded the word *nglish btw, whilst words and language in themselves might be interesting, being it, can really suck hairy ballz.
Depends how much jabbing is involved. I'd say 3.