Page 2 | Would this be a really weird thing to do ?

JustcantTalk · 2023-01-29T18:53:53+00:00

I have selective mutism . Would it be strange to print out a couple of small cards saying this so that if I get into difficulty I can just hand it to someone ? Would you think it was weird ? im so anxious going anywhere and I wonder if this would help me? I have ASD and ADHD too so I get very overwhelmed.

itsgettingweird · 29/01/2023 19:28

Yes it's a great idea.

I work in special education for pupils with severe learning difficulties. We have cards with us so if a situation occurs where one of young people struggles to manage the situation we can hand them out to explain.

Do you have a device you can type on and play the words or for people to read. You can add on the cards that you can communicate x way and ask for co operation with this.

TokyoSushi · 29/01/2023 19:38

I think it's a brilliant idea. I'm quite ashamed to say that I don't really know what selective mutism is...

Would it be possible for you to pop something really straightforward for everybody to understand on the card so that it's as easy as possible, something like 'I'm unable to talk right now, it would really help me if you...'

I'd find that super helpful and would go out of my way to make sure we could communicate.

harrassedmumto3 · 29/01/2023 19:56

Very sensible, OP. And I for one would be more than happy to help if approached by someone in your situation.

Shitfather · 29/01/2023 20:46

I also think it’s a great idea. I’m grateful for your post as it’s raised awareness about SM. I haven’t met anyone who has it, and so it would help me to know how to help someone in this situation.
Would you be able to find someone to go out with you in short trips until you felt confident? It’s great you are thinking about it.

Yarnosaura · 29/01/2023 20:51

I have the Emergency Chat app on my phone for these moments, I haven't had to use it yet but it's comforting knowing it's there. You can programme your own message in.

RedHelenB · 29/01/2023 20:55

JustcantTalk · 29/01/2023 18:59

Thanks. I’m going to do it then. I literally can’t predict when it’ll happen but when it does I feel like the part of my mind that turns thoughts into words/speech has disintegrated and I cannot get any sound out

Can you write things down at the time?

RedHelenB · 29/01/2023 20:57

TokyoSushi · 29/01/2023 19:38

I think it's a brilliant idea. I'm quite ashamed to say that I don't really know what selective mutism is...

Would it be possible for you to pop something really straightforward for everybody to understand on the card so that it's as easy as possible, something like 'I'm unable to talk right now, it would really help me if you...'

I'd find that super helpful and would go out of my way to make sure we could communicate.

Selective mutism is when you're unable to speak to certain people or in certain situations. The term makes it sound as though the person has control over this, but the opposite is the case.

Tired2beyond · 29/01/2023 21:01

I used to use these quite a lot for the same reason, (didn't stop because it was weird just because I don't really interact with people these days!) you should definitely if it will help! if you need to several police areas also have cards etc that you can register for, for if you're ever in a situation where you need or are detained by police etc and you can register with them you're issues www.npaa.org.uk/alert-card-schemes/

35965a · 29/01/2023 21:03

Brilliant idea

SkankingWombat · 29/01/2023 21:06

It's a great idea OP and I'm sure just about everybody would respond positively to it (unfortunately, you always have to allow for the occasional arsehole 🙄).
As a student, I had a PT retail job. We had a regular customer who was deaf and mute, and always came in armed with a pad and pen. If the staff member was new and didn't know him, he'd gesticulate to explain he couldn't speak and hear, and then bring out the pad. Everyone was always happy to help him by scribbling notes back and forth.

LakeIsle48 · 29/01/2023 21:08

That's a brilliant idea!!! Well done on getting the idea. One smart lady!

Cakeonthefloor · 29/01/2023 21:09

A man once sat beside me on the bus and handed me a card saying he had autism and liked talking to strangers. He watched me read it and then asked if he could still sit there. We had a very pleasant talkative bus journey and I was probably a lot more chatty than I would have been otherwise.

Greencars · 29/01/2023 21:21

I’ve named changed in case of outing, but I’d love to hear more about what would help you. I have a young child in my class with selective mutism- we have regular talk sessions outside of school hours where he will chat to me but I’d love to find out ways I can help in the classroom. Unfortunately there is very little training…

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 29/01/2023 22:02

Cakeonthefloor · 29/01/2023 21:09

A man once sat beside me on the bus and handed me a card saying he had autism and liked talking to strangers. He watched me read it and then asked if he could still sit there. We had a very pleasant talkative bus journey and I was probably a lot more chatty than I would have been otherwise.

This is so lovely 😊 i suffer badly with social anxiety and go totally cold around strangers - I'd welcome the chance to chat with someone who wanted to chat with me!

ShockedAndAwake · 29/01/2023 22:17

If you want you could not mention selective mutism and just have something written down saying you aren't able to speak. There is no need to have to detail why you can't speak unless you want to. I think people would
find it helpful.

Both of my sons were selectively mute for the first couple of years of school. I think a lot of people have some awareness of selective mutism.