I wish 'selective mutism' had a different name. The selective part seems to imply that there is choice in the matter. There is a massive difference between choosing not to speak and wanting to speak but struggling to form words or say anything.

#ActuallyAutistc #selectivemutism @actuallyautistic

My youngest appears to have selective mutism. She often goes silent when she's hungry or emotionally distraught. Does anybody have suggestions as to some good resources for basic signing? I could also use some suggestions as to which signs are the most useful to learn. I'm thinking that if I can learn some, I can teach her as well, and it will really smooth things out when she's unable to speak.

#SelectiveMutism
#autism
#SignLanguage

Part memoir, part guide, it offers insight not just for those with SM, but for the parents, teachers, counselors, and friends who walk beside them.

A Quiet Leader, by Marie Drury

FREE until May 1st!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6LVPZ7X

#selectivemutism question: I remember reading that the community seems to prefer reserving the term "nonverbal" for people who can't speak ever, and that a different term should be used when someone temporarily looses the ability to speak but will presumably get it back later.

Ex. Instead of saying "I went nonverbal last night" or "I had a nonverbal episode" What should I be saying instead?

hello there

i'm new to fandom.ink but i've been around the fediverse for a while now.

i am a #fandom old, but mostly keep to myself. i've been missing IRL fandom connections and i hope that i can make some new pocket fandom friends here.

i am a #DisabledArtist , with #ChronicIllness #Dyslexia and #SelectiveMutism

my forever fandoms are #DoctorWho and #FFVII and #solarpunk but i read pretty broadly.

i also do #knitting and am pretty good at #gardening

The main character in the book I'm writing has selective mutism.

In order to write much of her character, I just took my personal experiences and feelings, jacked them up to eleven, and did a little research to confirm things.

I don't have #selectivemutism but in the mornings I feel like I'm on the edge of it.

This morning I stumbled across the /r/selectivemutism subreddit and am kind-of blown away by how close my assumptions are to people's lived experiences.

The first run of the #CommCards are in!

I'm beyond excited to have the physical version available at last. There are some small issues with them (which I mentioned recently) but they'll be fixed for next time.

These initial ten are going to locals, but future runs will be on a grander scale. They'll be in the neighborhood of $30 with no alterations, and around $40 for customizations/extras.

As ever, let me know what y'all think!
#SelectiveMutism #nonverbal
#neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic

I've recently been struggling more with selective mutism than usual. If I talk at all I keep mumbling and whispering because that's what feels most comfortable for me when it comes to conversation volume. my energy level is too depleted to mask and talk louder. I have a boulder on my chest keeping me from speaking my mind. it's so hard not being able to speak when it's important. my partner struggles with #AuditoryProcessingDisorder so it's kinda hard to communicate. having to repeat myself is stressing me out, him not getting what I say is stressing him out.
not sure how to handle this situation, I'm just so fucking tired and there is so much on the to do list I get anxious just thinking about it. I'd be most comfy not talking at all right now...
#selectivemutism #actuallyautistic

A about two weeks ago, I posted about having made cards for a friend who experiences #SelectiveMutism (often called #Nonverbal, which I now understand to be inaccurate; thanks folks!) and asked if other #Neurodivergent folks would have interest in more.

After an incredible response, I set to work immediately on rebuilding the project to a much higher standard!

Have a look!
[1/4]

Selective mutism doesn’t have to stand in the way of a university degree or a career, if you get the chances you need
#SelectiveMutism #anxiety
https://northwestbylines.co.uk/news/health/overcoming-the-challenges-of-living-with-selective-mutism/

I'm so proud of my boy and how smart he is! I've been having a lot of #SelectiveMutism days because of my #AutisticBurnout I'm experiencing since my father passed. Because I've been mute for a few days I realized I was having issues communicating with my boy Birger. He knows hand signals for things like sit, down, stay, up, etc, but redirecting him and getting his attention I realized I was depending only on vocal commands such as focus or using his name. This was proving to be a problem so I reached out to my trainer and asked for some advice on the matter. He suggested with the focus command that I add a clap or whistle, something I could do that wasn't verbal related. So because I had some words today we worked on him coming and focusing on me when I whistle. And it's working! He went under the couch today and I didn't know where he was. I whistled and he came right out to me and looked at me! Praise and treats were given of course, im just so proud! It's only been a short training session of this and he gets it!
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #MothersDay #DogsOfMastodon #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic

Good that people are talking about #SelectiveMutism - I've always had it and up until recently I rarely heard it mentioned anywhere https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-68388212

Tips on raising a kid who has #SelectiveMutism?

My daughter isn't formally diagnosed, but she goes fully nonverbal sometimes, especially when she's tired or stressed. I'm #autistic so I get what it's like to be different and to have communication challenges, but not this particular type. I only go #nonverbal during/after the most extreme of my meltdowns, and those are pretty rare. She goes nonverbal almost daily. It's very frustrating for all involved, and I want to make sure she has what she needs to be okay, and that we don't make things worse for her somehow.

I know a lot of us are not only autistic ourselves, but parents to autistic children. I ran across this list of apps, and thought it might be useful to fellow parents.

My kids aren't diagnosed, but they have autistic traits, and one of them occasionally goes nonverbal. If anybody has personal experience with any of these apps, or others that might help with selective mutism, I'd love to hear about it.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #SelectiveMutism #AssistedCommunication #AutisticParent #AutisticParenting

MUO - MakeUseOf: 9 Autism Apps to Support Parents With Autistic Children
https://www.makeuseof.com/autism-apps-for-parents-with-autistic-children/

Growing up, I struggled with "Selective Mutism," an anxiety response that caused me to go silent and mute for extended periods of time. It wasn't until I discovered my core values that I was able to overcome this challenge and find my voice.

https://uncannycreativity.com/7-creative-values-define-action-manifesto/

Hi I'm new to #Mastodon
Call me Obie or Riot.
I'm a 24yr old #transftm ( #ActuallyAutistic ) #autistic #gamer, #artist, #streamer & writer. I'm #queer & #polyamorous ( #polyamory ). I do #innerchildhealing / noncom #ageregression. I'm a #pagan #witch & a huge #ecopunk! I love #horror ( #deadbydaylight ) ! I'm a #sfwfurry. I'm also #hardofhearing & have #selectivemutism. I love making friends and gaming with them (Xbox1, Switch & PC). Follow my other socials @ scumgutz / scumgutz666 depending.

#introduction #introductie

Hi, nice to meet you :) My name is Mirjam. I'm an #introvert and #HSP. I live in the #Achterhoek region in the #Netherlands, together with my husband, who is from the US.

Hobbies - #subtitling #translating #gaming, reading (#SFF, fav: Malazan series), gardening (esp. my vegetable garden)

Work - #HumanResources, #energy

Other interests - #history, #farming, #SelectiveMutism, #technology. Fav tv: #StarTrek. Fav music: #metal.

Looking forward to meeting you all :)

#introduction I’m a potter and a painter based in Lancashire, living by the seaside.

I create experimental ceramics using local materials from the beach, creating my own glazes. Back in 2016 I did a Masters research project in using online technology to teach traditional crafts like ceramics.

I’m a painter creating colour acrylics and watercolours based on local buildings.

I have a few disabilities including selective mutism