Autism yes, but I have learned talking scripts – WCCO interview

by Eileen Parker on October 4, 2011

Eileen Parker WCCO TV

Joe the camera guy from WCCO

 

WCCO-TV folks were here last week interviewing me for a story about Cozy Calm and my weighted blankets, which ended up turning to autism also.

I have learned how to media interviews.  When I was in public radio, I was on the asking questions end of the microphone, so it didn’t require much interaction.  But, being on the answering questions end of the microphone, I had to learn.

It started in radio through voice classes primarily for clarity, vocal variety, and pauses.  I still use those skills in daily life even though I can still slip into monotone with my family and friends, but they don’t require vocal variety from me.

Over the years, I taught continuing education courses, so I learned how to teach, which involved speaking and how often to make eye contact.  Then I learned public speaking, which involved all I had learned before, with new skills such as scanning the room and using hand gestures to name a couple.

These are all scripts I have learned that have helped me get along in the world.  For those who haven’t had to learn social skills in a literal way, it can be compared to learning math.  There is a way to do it, so you learn the rules.  Ditto for social skills.

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