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Possible for speech to get worse as you get older?

glow_flow

When I was a child my diction was very clear and I didn’t stammer/stutter as much. Nowadays people always ask me to repeat myself, I appear to be speaking ‘quietly’ or I’m not pronouncing words well. I also stammer/stutter sometimes, can’t think of the right words or switch words/letters around. I wonder if autism can cause this worsening over time, or if this is a consequence of social anxiety disorder I had.

Parents

  • I've gone in the opposite direction.

    I think it is largely tied to confidence. Confidence comes from predictability, which reduces stress.

    Familiar settings, people, low pressure interactions, make it easier.

    Also I think you slow down a bit too and think in a more ordered way.

    If you are in new environment, feel pressured or unsure, then I could imagine your speaking would be affected.

    I think it is also practice. You could try reading a book out loud at home and pronouncing the words clearly and at a good volume.

    It may also have something to do with general fitness. Being able to breathe well, deeply and easily will affect speaking. 

Reply

  • I've gone in the opposite direction.

    I think it is largely tied to confidence. Confidence comes from predictability, which reduces stress.

    Familiar settings, people, low pressure interactions, make it easier.

    Also I think you slow down a bit too and think in a more ordered way.

    If you are in new environment, feel pressured or unsure, then I could imagine your speaking would be affected.

    I think it is also practice. You could try reading a book out loud at home and pronouncing the words clearly and at a good volume.

    It may also have something to do with general fitness. Being able to breathe well, deeply and easily will affect speaking. 

Children
  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    I think it is largely tied to confidence

    I agree.

    I found a course in assertiveness training gave me the tools to be able to be condident enough to switch out of the quiet talking modes when required.

    Some of it involved learning to speak from the diaphram (the breathing one, not the birth control one which actually makes it more muffled) which gives a lot more power available to let your voice project.

    This also helps with the confidence to focus your mind to find the right words, although if you do find this inability to be increasing then it can also be an early sign of dementia or Alzheimers so it is worth discussing with your doc to eliminatate that as a factor,