Why don't you speak?

A girl who has never talked at school hopes you'll hear what she has to say.

READ BEFORE COMMENTING

1. I am not selectively mute and have never been. The narrator in the poem is a totally imaginary middle- or high-school girl. Nor am I any type of expert. For expert advice, try the links in the credits.

2. Just because a child or adult does not show all the traits of the girl in the poem (frozen posture, inability to nonverbally communicate, desire to speak) doesn't mean that he or she isn't selectively mute.

3. If you think it is possible that someone you know has selective mutism, please look it up online and visit a psychiatrist if possible. The younger a child is when treatment starts, the more likely he or she is to fully recover.

4. Sorry about the length. Once I realized it was too long for one song and too short for two, I added the extra information at the end. "Hear Me" was the original song I wanted. The second is the finale from the Firebird suite by Stravinsky, probably my favorite piece of music without words ever, which I got from the CD "Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits."

5. Insulting comments will be deleted. A comment indicating that you didn't bother to watch the whole thing or think about it insults me as the creator.

6. You're welcome to use the poem (written out, I mean, if you have that kind of time) elsewhere if you inform me and visibly credit me wherever you use it. Otherwise, please share this video! It's meant to be useful in other ways than just showing that you're not alone.

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

Category:

Education

Tags:

• selective
• mutism
• social
• phobia
• communication
• anxiety
• disorder
• silence
• mute
• autism
• shyness
• depression
• suicide
• voice
• speak
• Hear
• Me

[tylerhaunted]

i almost decided to become a full mute when i was younger due to my studdering.... you know whats harder than being a mute? Spending 10 minutes out of your day trying to get a single sentence out. So i do actually, in a way understand what it must be like to live life and go through school being a mute.

[Elemarth]

@tylerhaunted Yeah, I think in some ways, stutterers have it worse than selective mutes, because they can never talk easily. But they must get more understanding from teachers because they actually get diagnosed properly. I should make a video about stuttering one day.

[tylerhaunted]

@Elemarth oh really? Well i'll try to pitch in whatever help i could give..... i dont have a video cam *no money* so i'll be more than happy to send you all the information just from my experiences to you

[Elemarth]

@tylerhaunted Well, I won't do it by webcam, but written like this. Though webcam would be interesting for this. I'd be interested in reading about some of your experiences by private message if you feel like it.

[SilenTScreaMxLC]

Just one word...I can think of two words I'd like to say to them....

[Elemarth]

@SilenTScreaMxLC Dare I ask which? My guess is "shut up" or "f*** you", but it could be something more polite, like "I talk" or "go away".

I imagine you'd like to say a few thousand words to them.... I would if I were in this position.

[RedOFDYF]

I wish i could understand how you all feel, it must be hard getting through everyday. But your managing, you have my thoughts. Good luck to you all ♥

[wolfchicgalpal]

my cousin has a stutter, my twin sister doesnt, i suffer from SM, my mother refuses to accept what i have is not a demand for attention, its a real problem.

the reasons i dont speak are complicated and in a nutshell boil down to the reasons why my sister and i were adopted.

my sister is my life support, when we are separated i cry for her and refuse to even speak at home.

i know i need help but i dont know where or how to begin

[RB902050]

@Elemarth I'll agree on stutters having it hard. I mumble and stutter my words due to two major factors: One, lack of social skills because of social anxiety. Two, being nervouse around others and thinking others are constantly judging me. Sometimes I think it's better to say nothing than to risk saying the wrong thing or saying it oddly.

[twloha504]

cool video.(: took the unspoken words right out of my mouth.

[Elemarth]

@TheHealthyperson96 LOL, I guess it does.

[iluvsk8erboyz26]

Anyone with sm please email me. I am doing a huge project on sm and would love to hear all your stories and try to give you inspiration because I am a recovered selectively mute kid

[tylerhaunted]

@Elemarth Yeah sure i dont mind it.... besides people should be less ignorant of the immense pressure that we studders have to go through. Not just what we have to go through to actually learn how to control our studdering, but the incredible amount of BULLSHIT we have to deal with from bullying, even ignorant teachers.

If it will help even one person grow up, or to learn about the stress of studdering, i'll help you out, send you a message or whatever.