expressing yourself

[blocparty88]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if any of you also have problems with expressing theirselves? I always know what I want to say in my head, but most of the time it comes out all wrong (incoherent) and people don't understand what I'm trying to say. My articulation isn't that good so I guess that doesn't really help either... As a consequence, I often feel quite awkward in social situations I'm studying applied linguistics and have always had problems with the oral exams in the languages I study (French and Portuguese) and I think this might be dyspraxia-related... I just find this really frustrating...

[joy]

This is quite common in most dyspraxics knowing what you want to say have it all straight in your head and doesnt come out nearly as immpressive as what you want it to which doesnt do much for self esteem.

[Tim G]

I compleatly understand what you mean - I am verry much the same, a methord that was suggested by my OT was to write down what your going to say and edit this before you say it. That way it planed better and hopefully works but it is easer said then done as it takes time to think, write, talk - only in some situations I do this methord now when articulation and clarity are important.

I havent studed launages so I coldent comment - the shchool I went to took the princapel that there students find it hard enough to learn english so why introduse a new launague.

[riftplatyi]

One thing to remember about this is that the overall effect of the combination is where the results and power lie.

[Jim]

Articulation is a bugger! Many a time I've found myself knowing exactly what I mean (in my head) only to open my mouth only to hear incoherent mumbo jumbo

The way I usually deal with it is, by pausing. Apologising for the utter danglies I'd just spouted and offering a breif explanation of my difficulties with speech etc.

Then.. I'd come up with a neat analogy for what I was trying to say in the first place. An analogy can often perfectly describe what you're trying to get across and if used correctly with a hint of humour can completely disarm the person you're talking to and rescue you from looking like an idiot into looking pretty dammed smart.

Dysbraxia certainly doesn't help communication... It puts many barriers up in your way. Yet with a little insight and acknowledgement of how and why you have difficulties means you can often show that you understand the basics of communications very well indeed... Better than many others Infact. I can often communicate with others more effectively than they can with me. Because I'll apply method and logic.. Compose, send, delivery, receipt, understood. I try to make sure when I'm communicating, I do all of those in order. If someone else trying to communicate with me misses those steps, and I haven't understood their message and they then wonder why something hasn't been done, especially of I've asked for clarification and not recieved it, then bully for them. They need to improve their communication skills.

[LilBee]

It's a common dyspraxia problem, i believe.
The pathways between the mouth and brain are a little disconnected, so it might come out a bit scattered.
I find if i have a patient person, when i momentairly lose my train of thought, a quick prompt is sometimes all i need!

[Captain_Ludd]

I’m normally pretty articulate but I do find when I’m tired I start to talk a bit of nonsense may because I’m not concentrating on what I’m actually saying.