Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, I have been reading up on Situational Mutism (once called Selective Mutism). Much like when I first heard about Social Anxiety and Autism I am seeing a lot I can relate to in the description of this condition. I was often called "painfully shy" but often it wasn't just that. Sometimes I don't want to talk as an Introvert. Other times I want to but due to the people, place, situation, stresses and other factors I physically feel like I can't. Not just feeling a wee bit unable due to shyness. Although that happens also at times. I have been like this my whole life. I've never been the free flow chatty type thats for sure. Does anyone relate or know more about this?
When starting infant school, at four and a half, I was mute in school for about three months. I remained talkative outside the school gates.
Yeh I can relate to this I was mute through puberty because my voice broke and I felt embarrassed to speak in my deep voice so I just wouldn’t speak at all for like a year or two. But then eventually I decided to speak in my deep voice. It didn’t help that people would say ‘why are you speaking like that?’ ‘Speak normally’. People can be insensitive at times though. But glad I eventually started speaking again. With autism I think it is just a shyness thing when people are mute I’m not sure. You do get autistic people who don’t speak at all.
Hi Pax,
I can relate to this, I have an 18 year old who has selected mutism, will not speak when in the company of people they don't know which can be hard when going to college as they don't speak up in class, luckily the college they go to have helped a lot by placing them with friends on a table and they speak up, the tutor does not asked direct questions to them. It gets worse when they have a meltdown and won't speak to anyone even us so they go to their bedroom which is the safe space for them and we wait it out till they are ready to speak to us. It is heartbreaking but we have learnt to let them come to us when they are ready