News of Selective Mutism Forum

My daughter is 13 years old. She first showed signs of SM when she was 3 years old when she started day care. She was offcially dx'd when she was 5.
I have not been able to find help for her through doctors, counselors, or teachers. I don't understand why she wont talk to others or how to help her. She can't make friends, but wants to. She feels like a freak...especially when other kids ...

Sorry I wasn't sure where to put this...

So i'm one of those people that bottles things up and up and up and I explode sometimes hopefully in the privacy of my room with no one else to witness or something.

I have a lot of things that I've kind of carried around and bottled up inside which i know is not good...

I was having a pretty huge panic attack a few days ago ...

It's taken about 20 years, but I can talk to tutors about course related stuff, and I can even speak in a class, and I've spoken to classmates with conversations I've initiated. MASSIVE step for me... but I still can't speak if it's anything personal. It's like trying to force a marshmallow through a keyhole.. the words get all squished up the sides, and maybe the odd sounds come out. I mean, even something as ...

Im 16 and female and I have selective mutism so i can talk to my mum and sister who i live with but very quietly (if ever) at college and shops, but not at all anywhere else. I get made fun of like crazy at college, even though i know they're only having a bit of fun, it hurts me. I try to tell my mum about it but she doesn't care and doesn't believe ...

Looking for some creative ways to communicate with my daughter that do not involve the pressure of talking but may be creative and fun enough to stimulate an enjoyment of communication. (she is 10) If anyone on here has suggestions or ways in which they have communicated without speaking or writing things down, your ideas are much appreciated! Thanks

I used to be almost completely silent (except not at home)
I have always been the quietest person at school every day someone would ask why i'm so quiet. I have social anxiety and aspergers
but now i'm not as bad like i'm still quiet but i DO talk it's just a bit hard for me. Like i feel awkward/shy but i talked to people a little just not alot
It's still hard to fit ...

Here's some info on me:

- I can speak comfortably around my twin sister, but when I'm around other people, I speak very minimally or not at all.
- I can communicate alright in some of my classes, but in others, I shut down.
- When it comes to group discussions where I have to contribute, I get extremely nervous. My heart pounds like crazy and I'm ransacking in my head on what to say. ...

Hiya all,

I just wanted your opinions about home educating a child who has selective mutism. What are your thoughts? Is it good as the child is not really achieving anything in school and is really anxious all the time, hates going to bed as he knows hes got to go to school the following day. Therefore, surely, to prevent the poor childs extreme anxiety and discomfort, we should home school him? ...

Hi,

My Son is 10 yrs old and We were thinking he is just shy and will be ok in few years, He don't even answer his attendance or his oral examinations at school and never talked to school teachers though he has 2 or 3 friends to talk at school.. Now teachers feel he is stubborn and adamant to answer the questions or attendance, As we know he is not stubborn or adamant we ...

Hi everyone,
I'm new and hoping for some insight and advice to help my 9 year old. My son was diagnosed with SM 5 years ago while in preschool. We've made HUGE strides since then! At the time of diagnosis he was only talking at home to close family members. He wouldn't speak at school or even to his grandparents. He now talks with little hesitation to most people he is comfortable with, family members, ...