During my time as Chairman of Forum, the Public Speaking Group of the Australian Institute of Management, I have often been asked about speaking after dinner.

Before I discuss this opportunity, I want you to think back to a time when you were at a dinner event and the speaker came on.

How did you and your party react?

Did you give him or her a chance to get started?

Did you listen intently to the point of view being put across?

Or did you, after you realised that this was not an entertainer, turn your attention back to your own group or shout out comments to the speaker.

If you and your table didn’t, did others?

And how did you feel?

How do you think the speaker felt?

If you are a novice then making a presentation after dinner is very hazardous for your esteem and frankly, I would recommend that you decline.

The reason is that the audience typically, will not be in a receptive state to what ever message you want to put across.

Again generally, alcohol has been consumed and what the audience is looking for is entertainment.

They want you to make them laugh.

To be an entertaining speaker of this nature requires a great deal of skill, and self-confidence.

With inhibitions reduced members will shout out comments, which will distract you.

Many novice speakers get involved in an interaction with their audience and very soon they have lost control.

Other members want to be funny at your expense and it is incredibly difficult to maintain your cool and not be taken down their path of ridicule for you.

Again with the lapse in manners that often occurs in such situations, they may ignore you and carry on conversation amongst themselves in such a loud and rude manner, you could well succumb to the feelings of inadequacy.

These feelings are real.

Your skill level is inadequate although you are not inadequate as a person.

However, with the emotion of the moment you can scar yourself forever.

I have seen speakers who were not frightened of speaking in public before, who are now terrified.

This makes it so much harder to overcome the nerves because the fear has such power!

So, before you go near an after dinner speaking engagement, learn the basics.

Practice the basics and start with your first speeches in a safe place.
And if you are the guest speaker, never ever drink before your speech.
And generally, do not eat, as a burp at the wrong time will destroy your confidence.

So, if possible, go and enjoy the dinner as a guest patron until such time as you have gained the necessary skills and confidence.

To your growing confidence and success.

Dyslexia affects as many as 1 out of 10 people. 90-95% of adult dyslexics don’t know that their problems with learning are caused by dyslexia. Not knowing, they suffer from social stigma, low self esteem, depression. There is a simple way they could quickly improve their lives, change things for the better…

Dyslexia is A learning disorder characterized by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words. It is usually associated with some type of neurologic disorder. All dyslexics are different, each with different symptoms and degrees of severity. There is no “typical” dyslexic.

The symptoms are not apparent. The effects are often mistaken for something else. The key to getting an accurate diagnosis, and knowing, is an adult dyslexia test.

Today most people that have dyslexic symptoms are recognized and diagnosed early, as small children or as students in school. But our general understanding of dyslexia is fairly recent. Only a few years ago dyslexic students were most often just called “slow learners” and shunted aside.

Today there are many adult dyslexics who not do not yet know the real cause of their learning problems. Moreover most do their very best to hide it. So they continue suffering from the disabilities of dyslexia, which makes their lives miserable. Often being labled as dumb or stupid is depressing and robs them of self-esteem.

A simple adult dyslexia test would swiftly put them on track to a better life. Once the problems are identified, there are many therapies training courses that enable dyslexics to effectvely deal with their individual problems. They can quickly learn to function much more effectively.

Dyslexics tend to have special talents in visualizing and manipulating images. They often excel in the arts, in architecture and in life in general. There is no reason why they cannot be successful and lead happy, full lives.

There are many successful dyslexics, such as Sir Richard Branson, George Washington and Abert Einstein. Once they are diagnosed, so the problems are understood, dyslexics can overcome their weaknesses and focus on developing their considerable strengths.

The first step for anyone who is dyslexic, or thinks they might be, is to arrange to take an adult dyslexia test. The test will quickly verify if any form of dyslexia is present. It will also assess its characteristics and severity.

There are adult dyslexic tests available that can be taken in the privacy of your own home or almost anywhere. These only require half an hour of time less money than you would spend for many video games.

There is a genetic link. Anyone in your family with dyslexia? Do you ever have difficulties in reading? In manipulating numbers in your head? Do you struggle to write so you can be understood? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you might be dyslexic to some degree.

If you might be dyslexic to some degree, you should find out for certain. A simple adult dyslexia test would provide the answers, so you would know for sure. And it could radically change your life forever, for the better…

For many people adult autism is just the way of life. They have to endure living with this disorder, which can be very difficult because they can’t function as normal people can function. For some people, they have learned to accept this disorder and live with it, but what makes it really difficult for some, is how those around them treat them and by society in general. As a society, we should try our best to study and learn and understand what adult autism is and not just for those who were diagnosed with this disorder. By learning as much as we can as a society, we can better help those who have to live with this disorder for which there is no known cure for. After all, these are people too, just like the rest of us and are just as important as everyone else’s.

This Disorder is Not a Curse

There many people who do not see adult autism as a curse. In fact, there are many people who actually enjoy being autistic. They considered being autistic a part of who they are and wouldn’t have it any other way. They don’t want to be cured; they just want to be accepted by everyone. Yes, they too have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else, but most of all, they are people and have every right to enjoy life just like you and me.

Generally speaking, autism starts in infancy. What this means is that this person has been living with this disorder for some time now. Autistic adults see the world differently from others. Their five senses work normally, however their brains just process the information differently. The way information is processed and stored and interpreted are slightly different from that of a normal person. Some experts believe that this may cause some of the more detrimental effects of autism, such as fits and tantrums. Reacting to the world normally would be extremely difficult for someone that already has a lot of stress and anxiety.

Heightened Senses

With some individuals, they have heightened senses or uncontrollable senses. What this basically means is that very often they can’t decide if they’re hungry or stuffed, hot or cold. Some autistics can’t stand bad, strong odors or loud noises; and most do not like being touched or any other forms of contact from other people. Often times, they will reject hugs and kisses or any other acts of affection. Some people will see this as weird or unusual.

Trying to socialize with others can be a real challenge for people with adult autism. That is why it is a good idea to get them involved in programs and activities that encourage human contact and teach them how to socialize with others. And just as important, we must educate those around us about this disorder, so that we can assist autistic adults in their struggle to fit in. By teaching others about this disorder, we can hopefully develop into a more understanding and accepting society.