Last updated on November 26, 2023
When I get nervous, like most people I stutter and stumble over words. I simply stumble more often than a lot of people.
Speaking smoothly, clearly, and properly is an essential part of succeeding in life. It’s shallow, certainly, but I certainly admit that I’m also not above making quick judgments based on how someone speaks. I definitely judge people on grammar and vocabulary. Worse, I do form opinions based on strong accents. That’s human nature, but it isn’t right.
I speak very well if I rehearse ahead of time and stick to a visualized script. I can even do well with an outline, but I need a crutch.
When I speak to a group, I see the words visually, as opposed to hearing thoughts. This can cause stumbling, but usually it works to my advantage. Speaking slowly to a group is never a bad thing.
Something I plan to write about at length in another journal entry is how I won my one and only election campaign. Let’s be honest and admit it wasn’t because I was popular. It was probably intended as a mean joke… but things went better than people expected. When I had to make a speech to the entire elementary school, I managed to do so without collapsing on stage.
How does someone considered autistic speak to a group? How can I perform on stage at all?
Practice, like anyone else!!!
No matter who you are, speaking skills are developed. Some people are naturally gifted speakers — I’m not. I practice in my head for hours, planning every word. I also rehearse rhythm and tone, aspects that are important to other people. I think about raising and lowering my voice, using more than words to convey meaning. I also practice moving my hands in ways that seem natural. When I move my hands, I am a lot less likely to flap and slap anxiously.
Public speaking is probably an unlikely skill for most autistic individuals. I would never, never force a person to take a speech class, but I still think such courses help everyone. My confidence has increased a lot with each speaking invitation I receive. And best of all, speaking to groups has improved my interpersonal speaking skills.