Add Junior Class President to his resume, Selective Mutism did not define him.
Thinking back on the days he did not speak and could not speak at school, I am over joyed to update you on the progress and his accomplishments. The child who could not talk when he was 3 to 5, now elected junior class president.
For those who know him today as this very confident person, would not suspect that he could not speak 12 years ago. Selective Mutism changed him, molded him, but did not define him.
He came to us a few weeks back after visiting Standford for a college tour and said he wanted to run for class president. They were stressing that it was not enough to have top grades, sports, you needed leadership and give back to the community. I thought it would go in one ear and out the other. The trip was worth it just for that. He was willing to risk and go for it.
He plays sports, but never had taken a leadership role and one so visible. He also told us he would be running against the homecoming queen. As we have always done we supported his decision and held our breath. This was a big step, public speaking, leadership, expression of ideas.
Posters- check, T shirt vote for….,- check- Speech- check. Smile and hand shake and off he went to win an election.
The news that he had won was a victory in many ways far beyond the typical high school hype. To us it was his passage not just to speak, but to anything he want to do. I hope it inspires your child who may still not have made the journey that he has and have set a path to make it a reality for more.
Now he tells me he has to plan Prom and Homecoming…… for us this is a homecoming from Selective Mutism. Now he has left me speechless.
Thank you for this post. My daughter is 4 and I am a very worried mom at this point. She has made decent progress in the past three months with speaking more in pre-school, but not full conversations (except 1 day with her teacher). I look forward to the day that she moves past the silence. Again, thank you for this sign of hope!
It’s so wonderful to hear how well your son is doing and how far he has come since his days of mutism. My daughter is 5 and has made lots of improvements in the last year and it’s heartwarming to think I might be able to watch my daughter make such huge leaps as your son has in the future. Thank you. x
Awesome story of encouragement, thank you for sharing.
I was shocked when my 2 year old daughter’s Sunday school teacher told me that her heart went out to her because she was SO quiet…they had never heard her talk! This was the youngest of my 5 children and around the house was talkative and loud and held her own. Now I see she had Selective Mutism, but wasn’t aware of the problem then. She is currently 14 and has given the message at her youth group and is part of the worship team. We just gave her encouragement and let her take her time to find her voice.