“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou
When I was four years old, I was diagnosed with a childhood social anxiety disorder called selective mutism. Selective mutism is a rare yet often misunderstood disorder that many people initially mistake for common shyness. If a child has selective mutism, they are unable to speak in certain social situations due to being paralyzed by severe anxiety. The social situations usually involve people the child is not comfortable around or doesn’t know well enough to trust. Unlike shyness, being mute in these certain situations is not something the child just grows out of and they won’t start talking once the situation becomes normalized. It usually goes on for a long time, sometimes even into adulthood, depending on the severity of the disorder and the circumstances surrounding the child such as environmental factors and in some cases, even genetics. This is why proper early diagnosis and treatment is crucial in order for a recovery to be made.
As someone who has experienced selective mutism firsthand, I realize how difficult and confusing it can be, which is why I’ve dedicated a large portion of my time in helping parents, family members and friends of children suffering from the disorder. My goal is to help them better understand the process and lead them to answers when they’re feeling alone and lost. Most of all, I want to give them hope in a time when they feel anything but hopeful.
For these reasons, I’ve partnered with a wonderful nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and helpful resources for those looking to learn more or get help regarding selective mutism. It’s called Selective Mutism Association and I volunteer as their California State Coordinator for the Los Angeles area. This position requires me to provide helpful advice about selective mutism and give information to those who request it. I also hold consistent support groups for family members and friends who are associated with children struggling with the disorder and we often have beneficial guests such as professional psychologists who have experience in treating the disorder.
I’m not a licensed professional, just a girl looking to help others get through something that caused me extreme distress growing up. Believe me, there is hope and you are not alone.
If you would like more info on selective mutism and/or the support groups, please reach out to me at: erin@eringlow.com