I have a bunch of questions about talking out loud, primarily about how it helps organize thoughts.  I just read something that I think led me to an epiphany about understanding my friend, but I want to make sure I'm not over-generalizing or misunderstanding what I read, so I'd find your answers extremely helpful.  I REALLY appreciate it!!

1. I read that many autistics find that saying something out loud can be useful for organizing their thoughts.   Can someone explain that to me -- like what does saying something out loud do that just thinking it wouldn't do?  Why is it useful?
   
2. The author also said she tried to not say her thoughts out loud when other people were around because it's socially awkward. Does that probably mean she waits till she's alone to say them out loud or is there some other mechanism that could be substituted when saying your thoughts out loud isn't possible?  I'd appreciate it if you also explain how either of those would work (i.e., either how you would be able to wait or the process of the substitue mechanism/skill) or what is done if you tend not to wait or have an alternative.
   
3. Is organization of thoughts the only reason an autistic typically speaks out loud?  If not, what are the other reasons?
   
4. Is it helpful at all to tell your thought(s) with someone you're with instead of saying it to yourself?
   
5. How does organizing thoughts this way impact communication with NTs (if you think it does)?  
   
6. When you're only with others on the spectrum, do you say your thoughts out loud the same way you would if you were alone or is it the same way that it is when you're with NTs?  If neither, please describe.
   
7. Is one of the reasons written and/or online communication is preferred and found to be easier because it allows for you to organize your thoughts this way?
   
8. What do you think (or what do you imagine) that NTs do to compensate for not organizing their thoughts this way?
   

If you can/want to elaborate on any of the answers or can share anything else about the significance of saying things out loud that I didn't ask about, I'd appreciate that as well!

I have no qualifications other than a dose of common sense and the will to answer, so please take it for what it's worth.

1. I think everyone talks out loud to themselves.  Even those who don't actually do when no one's looking.  Perhaps it's simply a cue that human thought requires communication - even with oneself! - and the most human form of communication is through audible language.
2. Yes, that's how I keep myself from looking like a jackass...most of the time.  However, I let myself talk freely in grocery stores, etc. because that way nobody distracts me from getting my shopping done, and I like that.  Except for when it alerts people to my presence, and they approach me - the exact opposite of what's supposed to happen...and I'm wandering.
3.  I still maintain that it's not just autistics...and forgive my ignorance but I thought autistics didn't talk.  I dunno, maybe some people just love the sound of their own voice.
4.  Well yeah, then you get someone else's opinion - and someone else who might not be limited in perspective in that particular aspect.  Hence the whole point of talking.
5. Anyone except the mumbler himself will interpret his speech as something intentionally shared with others - namely them if otherwise engaged the conversation.  The uncertainty comes out again but this time not on the AS's behalf, but on the behalf of the NT - because once they realize "Oh crap, he's talking to himself, no wonder it makes no sense why he'd say that"...it makes him wonder "Well, when's he talking to me?  What should I ignore?  Well, I'll just ignore it all, I guess, nothing he says makes sense anyway."  That happens to me anyway.  I've learnt, but the tradeoff is, now I'm more quiet and reserved in public - the exact opposite of what I wanted.  Only now am I really getting the hang of it all.
6. It used to be I'd tell any single soul who were so kind as to pay attention to me whatever it was I wanted to say - and be completely honest - as a gesture of kindness.  Simply put, I believe in sharing, period.  I've been burned enough, and now I'm really cautious as to whom I let into my life.
7. Of course.  Plus, I can read what I'm gonna say before I actually post it, to make sure I didn't leave anything out or accidentally say something a little too off key.  You don't get that luxury in real time.
8. They don't even recognize it.  I never even heard of Asperger's until college.  Normal people just see people acting weird and consider them weird and treat them with caution.  Hence the whole struggle between the normal and the weird.

Hope I helped.

Cheers,
Dave

1. I don't know what saying things out loud does for me. I just do it. I inhibit it when I'm around other people, but when I'm alone I just let it out. I mostly do it when I'm very upset. It doesn't even make me feel better. Maybe I do it because it helps me to organize my thoughts when I have them in my short-term auditory memory. That would mean it's like having three hands to juggle balls (thoughts) with, instead of just two. It's another storage compartment. Maybe that's a crazy thought. I don't know.

2. When I'm with other people I just hold it in. Nothing can replace it.

3. As I mentioned, I do it when I'm upset, but I'm not sure there's a purpose.

4. No, because then they want to know what I'm talking about, and I have to explain it to them, and I lose my train of thought, and that's annoying. Besides, I don't want people having their fingers in my thoughts.

5. I don't do it around other people.

6. I don't do it around other people of any neurological type.

7. Online communication is easier because it's visual. I can see what I have typed and I can see what other people have typed. There are no hidden messages in people's eyes and mouths and voices; it's just text. If someone wants you to know they're making a joke, they make a smiley face. It's simple.

8. I have no idea. Maybe they talk to each other more.