That girl from America's next top model.

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FYI and all, I can speak publicly "normally" and without fear; I can make eye contact when people are at a distance. When they are directly in front of me, not at all if I'm intently listening or responding. I can use the phone too if it's not a social conversation (I'm quite articulate too).

This is subjective, however.

Merle,

It's really common for people with Asperger's to look away when someone is talking to them face to face; I do it for I have difficulty with non-verbal communication (which is a hallmark of Asperger's), when I look away I can concentrate on what they're saying. I can understand English, but when I'm trying to listen to another language on top of it, a language that's equally as loud as the spoken words, a language I don't understand; I falter and stumble. I won't be able to respond fluently at all if I look at people as they talk to me.

FYI and all again, I actually have no fear of speaking out in public in front of a group of people; I can answer questions if they pertain to the speech. I find it really easy. I can even make eye contact when they're far away and talking to me (probably because I cannot see them as I refrain from wearing my glasses).

Mw99,

That video you posted but deleted; it's impossible to tell as one cannot see the recipient, i.e., is she talking to the camera?

Is Heather working as a model already?

I've won or come second in 7 national speech competitions.

AS doesn't mean you can't do public speaking, especially if it's a speech... it's all written and practised beforehand, so you just go on up there and deliver it.

Sometimes. For me I don't really care... I just get on and do it.

I've done drama for years though so it probably helps, but I just figure if you've practised then you shouldn't have a problem. It's not like anyone there knows you, and the ones who do aren't gonna hold anything against you even if you were to turn blue, freeze, and jump out the window. So no worries.

"Stage fright" is not an Aspie thing.... lots and lots of NT's have it too.

Nothing about AS prevents you from delivering a speech - especially since there's no interaction involved, really... you're talking AT the audience. Maybe even lecturing them.

This is from Gillberg's AS criteria:

best thing for public speaking is practice. i have done several semesters of teaching bio courses and presenting data and such to audiences and teaching in martial arts classes.... you kind of get used to it. really helps to have to do the same talk over and over... makes your practicing on new things more efficient. was really helpful to me to get all those teaching evals back from students to get a feel for how i am perceived. i still have anxiety over what kinds of questions will be asked the first time i give any talk cause i never know where they will come from. but once i have an idea of that... im usually comfortable enough to try and through in some jokes and such to keep the audience awake!