Can't Get Out The Right Word?

Post Reply New Topic

Is it an AS thing to have difficulty explaining stuff?
For example, often I can think up something in my head, but when trying to say it I don't know what words to say and I may stutter. I may have an idea, but don't know how to say it. For example, once in maths class I solved a maths problem. When the teacher asked me how I solved it and to explain how I solved it, I was completely lost for words and didn't know what to say.

I find 3 different ways to explain everything, but usually they all try to come out at the same time...

Yes, this is an example of what psychologists call 'grasshopper' thinking - a characteristic of right-brained thinkers - as opposed to 'inchworm' thinkers who are left-brainers.
Right-brainers are visual and need to see and understand the whole, first.

Left-brainers are auditory and understand by building up from detail to the bigger picture - a bottom-up approach. They have no problem showing their workings to get the right answer - but may not UNDERSTAND what they've actually done.
Rather like someone in a car can get to his destination with detailed instructions, but without a map, can't really see where he is in a more global context.

I am not sure if it is an AS trait, but I will sometimes forget the name of the object I am referring to, even if I see it in front of me, have known it's name since first consciousness (i.e. a window) know what the name is in French (fenêtre) but still can't spit out the @$#!@ word!

Sometimes I am tempted to do to what I did in my childhood and take them to the object and pat it and grunt affirmingly.



Merle

This could be due to one of a range of causes, nervousness very common among them.

I can usually explain things ok, but I often pause in the middle of a sentence looking for the "best" word to describe what I'm trying to say. Often I'll know the word, but will be searching my brain for the correct form of it.

Again, this is very common.

This happens to me almost every time I open my mouth to explain something.

This exactly happens to me.
So often that I even designed a metaphor for it

I tell people that trying to explain what I'm thinking or understand what they are thinking is like listening to a conversation between peopl who speak the same language when I only know The pronunciation, a few basic word and how to count. You know enough to say yes or no but you dont really have the understanding to describe something in depth.

Or you could always say it's like trying to explain a camera to a deep jungle tribe who dont even know what a picture is. It doesnt matter what words you use, they still aren't gonna get it.

Yeah, I have the same problem. I know what I want to say but it comes out wrong, I can't seem to explain things well. The thing that works the best for me is when I take my time, that way you can think clearly. Although it's still hard sometimes, I understand.

I often have to start over and try again.

I work in IT, so I have to attempt complex explanations fairly often. I've been told I jump straight to the conclusion, without the leadup needed to allow someone to understand how I got there. My explanations come out "backwards" until the person has asked enough questions to understand.

To cope with this, I've been trying to map out the cause and effect in my head before I start speaking. Sometimes I get as far as "do I need to explain what this word means" before I get started. It works pretty well, except for the long pause before I start. I'll also draw on a whiteboard at work sometimes, which forces me to start with one thing and build on it. It's the most effective aid I've found so far, but I'm not always near one.

*realizes that he wrote this post backwards*

This happens to me all the time.
I know what I want to say but cant always get the right words out first time.
It can be frustrating, but I take a step back, think and then generally get it right.
Friends and family are used to me so its not an issue thankfully
Not sure whether this is an AS thing or just nervousness but I must say Im not usually nervous around family and friends.

Many times I've used this same example, almost word for word to explain my difficulties explaining things. I am extremely relieved to find that I'm not the only one with this problem. Ive suspected that I have Aspergers for awhile, but without an official diagnosis, I cant be sure. But the more I read around, the more I'm finding traits I have, that I once believed to be unrelated to Aspergers, that... bah, how do I explain... lol. Basically, I find posts like yours, and think, "Ahh, maybe thats not so abnormal for someone with AS". Also, at the same time, it makes me more sure that I do indeed have AS myself.

Yes! I usually don't get caught out as I 'pre-script' in my head what I'm going to say.....for example, if I'm ordering take-out food I'll have mentally rehearsed it first...

Problem with this is that if something unexpected comes up, say, they're out of a certain thing that was on my list, then I hum and haw and generally look a bit stupid, plus I have a habit of rolling my eyes around a bit because I'm 'looking' for the answer in my head.

I think everything in pictures, so it can take a moment to find the right picture to go forward from. Then I have to translate the picture into words, so I suppose in effect my humming and hawing is sort of like 'hold music'

The only other 'speech foible' I seem to have is running 2 words together, they're usually closely related words too, if I'm was going to say for example, conceal/hide, I would probably say 'hiceal' I seem to run both words together as they both pertain to the same concept...oh, and I jumble words I've just heard......someone could be saying a sentence, and I will for some reason repeat back their last 2 words but flip about the letters, so if someone ends a sentence by saying,

"....something something black light"

I will then repeat and just say,

"Lack blight."

I have no idea why I do this, I just do....

I have that problem, and it almost always occurs with common, everyday objects.