Selective Mutism: Myths and Reality: Part 2

Correcting misunderstandings about people who talk in one situation and not another.

I am not selectively mute, the teacher or parent of a selectively mute child, or an expert.

I am not affiliated with any of the websites or authors of the books. I have not read all the books, but these are the ones that appear to be the best.

Please see part 1 first.

See more videos about selective mutism on my second channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/Helyna8

A personal comment on 2:28 : I have had experience with the idea that children dont notice something wrong with a classmate if adults dont tell them. I had no friends one year in preschool because classmates didnt understand why I looked different (because of an obvious birthmark on my face). My teachers insisted that the kids wouldnt notice. The next year, my mother was allowed to explain to the class, and I never had trouble with that again, but it took many years for me to feel comfortable about explaining this issue myself. Please do not do this to an already-anxious child.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• selective
• mutism
• shyness
• silent
• mute
• shy
• child
• autism
• therapy
• social
• phobia
• communication
• anxiety
• disorder
• avoidant
• personality
• suicide
• speak
• talk
• myth

[prankisteen]

Is there treatment for a teen-turned-selectively mute? Should I talk to my school counselor?

[Elemarth]

@prankisteen Well, you're special. I think we've talked about this already. But if you're truly afraid to speak, I think there's no reason you wouldn't be able to use the same methods as other teenagers who've had it forever. Check out the websites in the credits. And then try going to your counselor, but be warned that most people don't know much about this (the reason for these videos). Go ahead and show them my videos to help explain if you want.

[maehb]

This video and your part one video are very good. I wouldn't be surprised if this became a featured video in the future.

[Elemarth]

Thank you! I'm not sure I've ever noticed a selective mutism video becoming featured, but maybe.

[cutefidgety]

hey there, thanks so much for uploading this video. i used to know a selectively mute person whom i thought was simply shy and often tried to push her to speak up, believing that it was for her own good. knowing that such a disorder does exist would have helped our relations tremendously. good work and please continue to raise awareness of this disorder so that people around them will be more forgiving.