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Loss of speech for longer periods

ZoZebra

Hi everyone, 

I'm a usually verbal autistic lady, though I do experience issues with cluttered speech even on a good day.

For the last few years (before my diagnosis), I have had hours or days at a time where I could not speak, think, or really move when I felt overwhelmed. At the time I was told I had dissociation, though now it makes sense that I was experiencing shutdowns.

This happens less to this dramatic degree now, as I have learned to soothe myself and take it easy, but I am still experiencing days at a time of feeling like I am unable to speak or express myself. It is not selective mutism (although I do get that at times) as it is not related to anxiety-producing situations. I am experiencing one of these at the moment and I am at home in a safe space. 

I'm finding it hard to find much online about verbal adults losing speech for longer periods of time, i.e., days or more). I am still getting on with my work today from home, so I am still functioning, but I feel numb inside, 'on pause', and unable to speak.

Does anyone else experience this? I'd just really like to hear from anyone who experiences loss of speech like this, so I don't feel so alone. In addition, how do you manage if it goes on for a long time? 

Be great to hear from anyone with intermittent speech issues!

Thank you Slight smile

Parents

  • I go through periods where I only speak if I absolutely have to. If there is another method of communication available then I would opt for that. That's isn't the same as being unable to speak, although I too suffer selective mutism in certain situations. I call it situational mutism, as it is not my choice that I cannot speak in those situations.

    If it is not causing any major issues then I don't see any problem with not speaking for days or weeks. For autistic people verbal communication can be very resource intensive and results in feeling depleted afterwards. If communication can be achieved in another way then it is best to deploy those scarce resources where they are most effective. I'm a strong believer that every autistic person should have the right to communicate in whatever way works best for them at any point in time.

    I watched an Aucademy video last night and they were talking about an ideal world for autistic people. One where everyone would learn sign language and there would be no pressure or expectations about verbal communication.

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  • I go through periods where I only speak if I absolutely have to. If there is another method of communication available then I would opt for that. That's isn't the same as being unable to speak, although I too suffer selective mutism in certain situations. I call it situational mutism, as it is not my choice that I cannot speak in those situations.

    If it is not causing any major issues then I don't see any problem with not speaking for days or weeks. For autistic people verbal communication can be very resource intensive and results in feeling depleted afterwards. If communication can be achieved in another way then it is best to deploy those scarce resources where they are most effective. I'm a strong believer that every autistic person should have the right to communicate in whatever way works best for them at any point in time.

    I watched an Aucademy video last night and they were talking about an ideal world for autistic people. One where everyone would learn sign language and there would be no pressure or expectations about verbal communication.

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