Changing the Subject?

Thank you.xx

Changing subject can be, see 2. But 

As far as I can tell, I think the main things related to communications are:

1. Monologues, taking over and just talking once you get started. Coupled with problems if the other person cuts you off.
2. Steering the conversation onto your preferred topic, repeatedly. Or just ignoring the topic and talking about what you want. It is not typically random, but a special interest.
3. Not knowing when or how to end a conversation, or feeling uncomfortable when it does.
4. Uncomfortable with silences, or speaking when ideas come rather than waiting for the other person to finish.
5. Not keeping up, such as wanting to go back to a previous topic.
6. Struggle to start a conversation.
7. Struggle to answer.
8. Struggling if the topic changes when you are still in a particular line of thought.
9. Struggling if multiple questions are asked.
10. Not responding when not sure what to say or while processing.
11. Not responding if you are doing something else.
12. Taking things literally, can be quite subtle, so there is confusion. May argue about the meaning of a word or sentence, or get wrong end of the stick. May say something that you think is clear but the other person can be confused.
13. Limited or no emotional content or emotional words. Not really talking about how you feel. This is more variable.
14. Linked 13 to this can be missing the subtext and additional meaning.
15. Stating things as sort of decided, as you have thought about it and know what you think.
16. Over explaining because you want other people to understand your reasoning. Makes for monologues.

I think all people do sobe of these at times, so it's a question of degree  I can do all of them to some extent, and it is worse when in burnout.

Thank you.xx

I know plenty of non autistic people that do this, so I don't think it can be just an autistic thing. 

My husband always says I take over conversations rather than go silent, I don't allow others to give their point of view, hence it's not a two way conversation 

But I have someone I know when I say anything she will change the conversation, that's not her engaging with me in a two-way conversation, that's her controlling the conversation in her direction 

When this happens to me I can just go silent and not engage further 

Thank you!!xx

Yes I would say it is 

Thank you! xx

Thank you! xx

Yes it would be an element of failure of normal back and forth conversation. It shows that you aren't actually following the conversation and are more inclined to talk about what you are thinking about.

It's not the only element. Some autistic people may not respond at all for example or may respond with answers only and not continue the conversation by asking questions in return.

I think this is a trait where there is very much different degrees as to which it affects the individual and in how it comes across to others.

Umm, you'll probably get a better answer, in which case disregard mine, but I think there are two separate elements to the question? 

Changing the subject, to maybe what you want to talk about instead of what is being talked about is part of 'not normal back and forth conversation' in that an autistic person might only want to talk about their special interest and keep steering the conversation back to it. (I know my kids are especially prone to this).

But if you are asking if that is what 'failures in back and forth conversation' means, or if it's silence, it's more nuanced than that I think. I know I was noted for having these failings, but it was more that I didn't ask any further questions that might have been expected when speaking with someone. I thought I was a good listener as I let other people speak, but apparently not if you don't ask further questions at the right points? Also if someone asks you something and you keep the answer short and don't elaborate it can make people uncomfortable too. :( 

I think 'normal back and forth' conversation is meant to be like a game of tennis. I guess I get it wrong as I either say too much or too little?