And I strongly identify with the not being able to decide what to say quickly enough. For me it’s not like there’s too much flooding into my brain but rather not enough, that I don’t have “handles” or “pointers” to the thoughts and ideas that I might want to express. At a recent Aspie gathering, there was an Aspie who really reminded myself in this way, and he seemed to be even more effected. When we were going around the circle introducing ourselves, he couldn’t think of anything to say, and after some hemming and hawing he said he needed someone to ask him a specific question. Someone jokingly said “okay tell us what you were doing at 8pm and 3am yesterday”, and he proceeded to answer that question, later noting that he didn’t realize it was a joke.

What I’m noticing is that adult Aspies seem to develop two different forms of compensation for not knowing what to say when. Some simply speak whatever comes to their mind, and tend to run on and on. Others tend to speak very little, often somewhat slowly, like myself.

Thanks for the LJ greeting on my b-day. I meant to respond, then time got away from me and i felt guilty — it was much appreciated, though. Happy belated birthday to you, too.