FREE TO SPEAK

Selective Mutism In Our Own Words by Carl Sutton and Cheryl Forrester of iSpeak

Buy the book here

Chapter 11: Selective Mutism and Asperger’s Syndrome (Lorraine’s Story) and Appendix B: Reasons Why I Dislike School written by me

So, as someone who is selectively mute/prone to shutdowns, people don’t often know what to do when I go nonverbal, and it’s not like they can ask, so I’ll give some tips!

Ask them what you should do while they’re nonverbal before they go nonverbal.

Keep in mind that for some people, nonverbal means they simply can’t talk but can still communicate through writing, texting, nodding, etc. But, for some, it means they cannot communicate at all (and this can change based on the type of episode as well). If this happens, just be patient, and be somewhat still. If you talk, try to talk softly.

Some people like to listen to others talk when they’re nonverbal, and some don’t. Talk to you’re friend when they’re verbal so you can find out which is best for them.

If you’re out and about, make sure that you make it obvious that if you have to talk for them (i.e. order food for them, thank the bus driver, tell someone they can’t speak, etc.), that it really isn’t a bother.

DO NOT RIDICULE THEM. Do not make fun of them, do not get visibly frustrated, do not get angry, do not try to force them to talk. This will only make things worse.

Thank you to those who are reading the daily Facebook quotes about Selective Mutism Awareness during the month of October.

pressure them to speak

praise them and make a huge deal when they do speak

say shit like “i can’t help you if you don’t speak to me!!!!”

intentionally exclude them because they don’t talk

punish them if they don’t speak