Anyone ever tried Toastmasters?

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I am considering the idea of joining a local Toastmasters group. For those not familiar, it is a group where you can practice public speaking in a small group of members all there to improve their own communication skills. After every talk, you all give each other constructive criticism. My understanding is that the speeches you make are pre-written, is this true? Also, how much time do you have to put into it.

I feel like I was a better communicator before I was diagnosed. After diagnosis, I feel like I stopped challenging myself, and blaming all my weaknesses on AS. Since my future career will involve giving presentations, I think that this may help me.

Go for it. It's good practice and makes speaking and even socializing less stressful. It feels artificial, but at least they are positive and constructive and very very forgiving.

Pre-written, well, you have a program of 10 speeches you must prepare. They're not written in the sense of written out, but you may have note cards. You won't be encouraged to read from a sheet.

If you are in any kind of a big city, there will be many Toastmaster groups. Choose one that matches some interest of yours. They can be relating to business, sports, drama, environmental, young, old, second language, you name it. If you don't like the first one, maybe try another. They can be very different from each other. Google Toastmasters International and you should be able to navigate to a list of the groups in your area.

I didn't finish all my speeches, but that's because I moved out of town. It was all right. It was useful. After the basic programs, there are different choices such as comedy, persuasion, technical presentations, et cetera, that you can specialize in if you really like or need practice in one area.

I have thought of trying it many times over the years. In my youth in primary school and even in college every time I had to give a report in front of the class (presented my speech in a speech college college class) it ended in my running from the room in tears. I practiced in front of a mirror, used outline cards, memorized my speech, to no avail. In my late thirties I accept that it is in my best interest to present myself in written or visual form for the best result.

I'm in a Toastmasters group through my clubhouse, and I love it. I've become more assertive, since I've started going, two years ago.

not Toastmasters but Narcotics Anonymous......
quite similar in that you learn how to speak...except that the f@#k-outs and maniacs who attend NA are much more my type of people.......

(i do not think i could stand all the societal "networking' that i hear about with TOastmasters....)

I really loved Toastmasters back in Middle School. I was thinking of joining the local Public Library group as well. Go for it!

I was in Toastmasters too. It was a great program, and very positive. Everyone there is in the same boat so you know they all understand your fears. They also give you feedback on what you do well so you know what your strengths are so you can improve on them, as well as things that you could work on improving. They also have leadership skills worked into the program. There is also a segment of the meetings that ask you to answer a spontaneous question taking no more time than 3 minutes. (this is hard because you don't know whether you are going to be called on or not, but over time you get good at it) It gives you a sense of time as well, so you learn not to talk too long and to shorten your answers. (I tend to ramble on) It teaches a lot of great speaking and leadership skills in a very informal, un-intimidating, friendly environment. I miss it.

I was in Toastmasters from 1992-1999. I really enjoyed it.