Words/language as an autistic person

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.

Parents
  • when she was young she would read the dictionary

    When very young, and still to this day; my dictionary has always been a prized possession. 

    These days I also make use in Chrome Google Search: define (word), or in MS Word or LibreOffice Writer etc. F7 spellcheck or skirt+F7 thesaurus.

    My Assessor's feedback report said (in the "deficit" to neurotypical page) that I use "overly formal language" (I was incensed when I read that remark - as it felt like an unwarranted assault on my individuality, character, personality etc ). 

    Thankfully, some weeks later, when desperately trying to educate myself about Autism in late identified / diagnosed adults (effectively; solo in a vacuum, because, despite being an older adult, the only follow up reading material the Assessor had signposted me towards was a truly appalling document (very badly) written by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (and someone had then just inserted an additional front page saying the document was for adults, which it most certainly was not!) ...I found some other more reputable sources of guidance which made it clear that this feature (of overly formal language style) was not uncommon among Autistic people. 

    That revelation was both reassuring and infuriating news. 

    I felt, as a minimum, that observation (that overly formal language use was not uncommon in Autistic people) should also have been included within the Assessor's feedback report. 

    (Rest assured; I said something way more pithy than that when discussing the matter with my relatives ...not so formal language deployed in that instance!).

    Needless to say; that experience still smarts and feels something of an injustice. 

    I gave feedback to the Team involved - in the hope a future adult Service User would both receive a more appropriate follow up information pack and not have an Autistic feature highlighted as a "deficit" without the context of it's prevalence within their Autistic Community.

Reply
  • when she was young she would read the dictionary

    When very young, and still to this day; my dictionary has always been a prized possession. 

    These days I also make use in Chrome Google Search: define (word), or in MS Word or LibreOffice Writer etc. F7 spellcheck or skirt+F7 thesaurus.

    My Assessor's feedback report said (in the "deficit" to neurotypical page) that I use "overly formal language" (I was incensed when I read that remark - as it felt like an unwarranted assault on my individuality, character, personality etc ). 

    Thankfully, some weeks later, when desperately trying to educate myself about Autism in late identified / diagnosed adults (effectively; solo in a vacuum, because, despite being an older adult, the only follow up reading material the Assessor had signposted me towards was a truly appalling document (very badly) written by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (and someone had then just inserted an additional front page saying the document was for adults, which it most certainly was not!) ...I found some other more reputable sources of guidance which made it clear that this feature (of overly formal language style) was not uncommon among Autistic people. 

    That revelation was both reassuring and infuriating news. 

    I felt, as a minimum, that observation (that overly formal language use was not uncommon in Autistic people) should also have been included within the Assessor's feedback report. 

    (Rest assured; I said something way more pithy than that when discussing the matter with my relatives ...not so formal language deployed in that instance!).

    Needless to say; that experience still smarts and feels something of an injustice. 

    I gave feedback to the Team involved - in the hope a future adult Service User would both receive a more appropriate follow up information pack and not have an Autistic feature highlighted as a "deficit" without the context of it's prevalence within their Autistic Community.

Children
  • I gave feedback to the Team involved - in the hope a future adult Service User would both receive a more appropriate follow up information pack and not have an Autistic feature highlighted as a "deficit" without the context of it's prevalence within their Autistic Community.

    Well done - I hope that had an effect on their policy (but I'm sceptical).