Hello Everyone

[Tongu Silence]

Hi everyone,

I'm Tongu as in 'Tongu Silence' (Tongue Silence) also known as Simon. I suffer sporadic situational mutism and am currently in a bout of it. It is very different because not everyone I meet will do BSL. But when it strikes which is normally in an instant it so so depressing I've got to do something. I'm embarking on BSL mainly so I can communicate with my wife more easily.

The History

I'm semi formally diagnosed as on the autistic spectrum due to having a son who is and apparently autistic people are more prone to mutism.

It first occurred at about 35 (now 65) during a phase of nervous exhaustion through massive overwork (12hrs a day 7 days a week for 14 months). I had periods of a few days when I could not speak. My mind has no knowledge of how to form words, so can't even whisper. I can think them and write/type them, but not make any form of mouth movement to say them.

It happened again in my late fifties with three main bouts, one of four months and two lasting five months. since then it just seems to pop up whenever, but truth be known, there is always some sort of stress or external pressure on me just before it occurs.

It is so different from deafness(which must also be devastating) because it is those I interact with who need to accommodate my situation. I guess deaf people can learn to lip read of have medical devices to assist, but for mutism there is nothing. It is also hard to find help because 'generically' it is more common in children, so there is little help for adults and mainly that focuses no therapies to avoid it. But sadly nothing to help when it strikes.

I get by with use of AAC apps on my phone and tablets, which after trying everything I could find, settled on a VERY VERY good one which was most modestly priced. So ,go I could swap profiles and run the counter in a busy garage I ran with it. Customers were only asked to give me a little more time. All were deeply complimentary to me and the garage for demonstrating just what can be overcome if one adapts and tries.

In joining the forum, I'm hoping I might meet some others in the same situation and many more who will nurture my learning over the coming years. I can then use my knowledge to spread the word and attempt to get local organisation to learn some basics and adopt procedures which accommodate those with more hidden accessibility needs.