I have been finding it hard to understand and keep up with conversations, especially in larger groups. 

I have noticed that I am not ‘getting’ jokes in the way I always have.

I hold back from talking or from social interaction and relationships with others because of the way I speak.

I am neurodiverse and I would like support to make myself understood, advocate for my needs and navigate social situations in a way that’s true to myself.

My facial muscles feel weak and my speech sounds slurred or slushy.

I find myself speaking very fast and frequently re-starting my sentences and people find me hard to follow. 

I can’t find the words I am looking for to express what I’m thinking or feeling and am left feeling frustrated and isolated.

I have stopped being able to understand what I am reading in the way I used to.

I have been using the wrong sounds in a word, choosing the wrong word, or putting words together in an unusual way.

I repeat sounds or words or they get stuck and won’t come out, especially in pressured situations.

I have recently noticed myself speaking more slowly than I used to.

I am finding it hard to control the volume of my voice, meaning I talk too loudly or quietly.

My voice has changed recently in a way that does not sound like me, e.g. it sounds nasal, strained or monotone. 

My voice does not sound ‘like me’, or match the person I know myself to be inside. 

I have been losing my voice frequently and my vocal cord or throat area often feels tight and sore. 

When I need to speak a lot socially my voice gets tired, hoarse or painful and I have even been losing my voice. 

I need to speak a lot for work and I’m losing my voice often or feeling pain in my vocal cord or throat area.

I have lost my voice completely after severe stress, anxiety or trauma.