Thanks for sharing the video. I felt very similar to how you felt when I was in school, except I never communicated by writing to people. I just nodded and shook my head. I wasn't able to speak until I had changed schools for the third time.
JitakuKeibiinB wrote:
Nice video.
I was selectively mute as a child too. Those reactions were actually my biggest obstacle! Whenever I'd say a word whoever heard it would act as if they'd won the lottery, attracting a lot of unwanted attention. I never suddenly got over it for that reason. I slowly got to the point where I could speak to teachers and friends, and respond to questions, but never initiated conversation. (I still don't initiate conversation, but that's more out of disinterest.) That was towards the end of elementary school, but my reputation as "the kid who doesn't talk" followed me through high school, so people never tried to talk to me much. That was fine with me.
I didn't like the unwanted attention either, which is one of the big reasons I didn't speak until I switched schools at 8th grade. No one expected me to be weird, so I felt that I'd draw the least amount of attention if I just spoke. The teachers were surprised though since they all were told I didn't speak, I guess.
But after that, I never had friends at school or talked much. It was all just done when needed.
The "kid that doesn't talk" reputation I think also hurt me in college. After a while, most people stopped treating me like I was a person that could respond and potentially interact. I guess because I wasn't. Yes, I spoke some in college..but what does years and years of being used to not speaking to other people do to you? And I was still scared. You get a few chances with people, ruin your chances, and have to move on.
02 Sep 2012, 9:35 pm
