Selective mutism and school refusal (Japan)

Some Japanese researchers have studied the relationship between selective mutism and school refusal.

Most of them have argued that selectively mute children don't generally refuse to attend school(for example, Sogame, 1973; Araki, 1979; Kawai, 1994).

But recent studies are lacking. School refusal today is different than the 70's and 80's (Kawai's study is based on studies in the 60's-80's).

Browsing the web, I found many stories of Japanese children with selective mutism who refuse to attend school.

I expect control studies. To carry out a control study, researchers need to gather children into two groups. One is composed of children with selective mutism. The other is control group that doesn't include selectively mute children. Then examine how many children refuse to attend school in both groups. Then compare both of them to examine whether significant difference exists or not.

In Europe and the U.S., control studies on selective mutism have been carried out. But in Japan, that have not.

[Related link]

Selective mutism and school refusal (The selective mutism journal/Japanese)
http://smjournal.com/ar071201.html

Index of SM in Japan

Ninth grade (2)

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Ninth grade (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

About half of the new classmates were my former classmates. But I had no friends in the class.

Y was in the same class. She was my eighth classmate. When Y and I were the eighth grade, she showed me many kindnesses. Soon after we moved up to the ninth grade, Y introduced me to some classmates as "a cute boy." So, I was accepted into them.

Another kind classmate was K. She was my fifth, sixth and eighth classmate. She had a close friend, S, and sometimes showed me many kindnesses with her.

But not all classmates were kind to me. Some classmates, especially male classmates, began to bully me.

I had no friends to help me. Instead of friends, female classmates, such as Y, K and S, helped me. But that aroused jealousy of male bullies, and their bullying got severe.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective mutism in Japanese college education and certification exam

Some Japanese SM sufferer, ex sufferer and their parents say that Japanese professionals don't necessarily know about selective mutism.

Didn't Japanese professionals study selective mutism in college? Didn't they study selective mutism for certification exams before they got their jobs? Didn't they study selective mutism in OJT after they got their jobs?

[selective mutism in college education]

Browsing Japanese websites, I sometimes find people who have the experience of studying selective mutism in college. So, there seem to be colleges in Japan that teach selective mutism to students.

But I don't know which departments teach selective mutism. Similarly, I don't know whether selective mutism is taught in undergraduate courses or graduate courses.

Even if they studied selective mutism in college, they may forget the knowledge if they don't utilize it after they graduated from colleges.

[selective mutism in certification exam]

From what I gathered on the Internet, questions on selective mutism were asked on the national exam for medical practitioners, teacher employment exam, and child career employment exam.

I also gathered information about civil-service exam (psychology occupation) and certification exam for clinical psychology. But I couldn't confirm whether questions on selective mutism were asked on those exams.

Even if they studied selective mutism for exam, they may forget the knowledge if they don't utilize it after they passed the exam.

[selective mutism in OJT]

I don't know. :(

Index of SM in Japan

Ninth grade (1)

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Ninth grade

* * * * * * * * * *

By the time I was the ninth grade, my selective mutism seemed to get better. Soon after I moved up to the ninth grade, photographers came to our classroom and took pictures of us. One of those pictures is in our yearbook. The picture shows me laughing with my classmates. When I went to elementary school, I couldn't laugh in school. But when I was the ninth grade, I could laugh.

* * * * * * * * * *

New classroom teacher was a female art teacher. She had been just transferred from a board of education, so I didn't know her.

Since I was the fifth grade, my successive homeroom teachers had paid special attention to me. But the new teacher didn't. So, I was dissatisfied with her.

In retrospect, I think that I might have had a sense of entitlement. "I was a student with special needs. All teachers, especially my homeroom teacher, have to pay special attention to me." It's true that I was a student with special needs. Many teachers and classmates had done me many kindnesses. But that might cause me to have a sense of entitlement.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Is selective mutism your enemy?

Most people think that selective mutism is enemy.

If children suffer from selective mutism, parents, teachers, therapists or physicians try to help them to overcome their mutism.

That is no exception in Japan. Many Japanese who once suffered or now suffer from selective mutism express their sufferings on their blogs or BBSes. They say, "overcome selective mutism," or "fight against selective mutism."

I can agree with them to some extent, because I also once suffered from selective mutism. So, I provide some information about treatment of selective mutism on my Japanese website The Selective Mutism Journal.

But I don't necessarily view my selective mutism as my enemy. I sometimes view it as a friend of mine. In addition, I view it as part of me. I think that is because I suffered from selective mutism about 10 years. I lead my life with anxiety. If someone said to me that selective mutism need to be treated when I suffered from it, I might felt depressed. I may have taken it to mean that mute children such as me should not live.

The view that selective mutism is enemy may relate to the philosophy of western medicine. Western medicine regard disease or disorder as enemy and combat them.

Good classmates

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Good classmates

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As I mentioned earlier, a few classmates bullied me. But most classmates didn't. They cherished me. Although they didn't know the medical term "selective mutism," they understood that there were reticent children like me out there.

Soon after moving up to the eighth grade, O, my classmate girl from the seventh grade, showed me many kindnesses. In addition, Y and her friends, my new classmate girls took an interest in me and also showed me many kindness. After several months, Y and her friends made friends with me. But on the other hand, O avoided me for some reason. I guessed that O felt it was difficult to keep close relations with me, because Y and O were not so friendly with each other.

The most kind classmate boy was S. He always took care of me. For instance, when we went on a school trip, he grouped me together with him not to isolate me.

There were many other classmates who took a favorable attitude to me. I was blessed with good classmates.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

This is the only English website devoted to providing information about SM in Japan

There are many Japanese who are interested in selective mutism. Some of them have their websites and transmit information about selective mutism across the Internet. But most of them are written in Japanese.

As far as I know, no Japanese create English websites about selective mutism except me. I guess that this is the only website devoted to providing information about selective mutism in Japan.

I can provide wrong information and lead people all over the world to believe that, because no one know accurate information about selective mutism in Japan. But I must not do such a thing. I should try to provide accurate information.

Unfortunately, I'm not good at English writing. I guess that some Japanese who are interested in selective mutism have a high command of English compared to me. But they don't seem to have an interest in creating English website. I write this blog not only to provide information about selective mutism in Japan, but also to increase my English writing skills.

Index of SM in Japan

I love Enka!!!!!

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

I love Enka!!!!!

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When I was the eighth grade, I was attracted to Enka. Enka is a genre of Japanese popular song.

Enka (Wikipedia article)

It was odd, because Enka is popular among older people, not young people. None of my classmates probably liked Enka. They liked J-pop, J-Rock or Western music.

Why was I attracted to Enka?

[Sentimental and melancholy melody]

Many Enka melodies are sentimental and melancholy. That grabbed my interest. I thought that my childhood was tragedy rather than comedy.

[Life]

One important thema of Enka is life. Although I was a child, I often questioned the meaning of life.

[Isolation from children my age]

I felt that I was isolated from children my age since I'd had selective mutism. That seemed to arouse strange feelings.

I seemed to feel bitter hostility to children my age in my heart. So, I detested music they loved, such as J-pop, J-Rock or Western music. To me, these were evil music. My attention focused on music they didn't like, Enka. When I listened to Enka, I sometimes felt pleasure in listening to music that children my age aren't interested in.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

A mystery of Japanese researchers

I've read many literature on selective mutism on international peer reviewed journals (e.g. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). The authors are American, European, or even Israeli. But I've rarely seen Japanese.

Japanese researchers contribute to domestic journals. But almost none of them to international peer reviewed journals.

From Bachelor of Economics' point of view, it's odd. Some Japanese economists contribute their papers to international peer reviewed journals. It's an honor for them to appear in such journals, especially top journals. That's an incentive for them.

Of course, there can be no comparison between economics and child psychiatry. But it's common that researchers discuss issues on international journals.

Why do Japanese researchers contribute only to domestic journals? Some of them must know that international discussion on selective mutism exist, because they cite many English-written literature.

As far as I know, so do Chinese and Korean researchers.

Index of SM in Japan

A naughty boy and a delinquent boy

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

A naughty boy and a delinquent boy

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[A naughty boy]

I was bullied in school when I was the first-fourth grade. But when I was the fifth-seventh grade, few classmates bullied me.

When I moved up to the eighth grade, I was bullied again.

The bully's name was M. He teased me in various ways. He was a childish and naughty boy.

His way of bullying was also childish. For example, he sometimes hid my pen case or shoes. Grade school children may do so, but he was a junior high school student.

Oddly enough, his academic performance was better than mine. I was frustrated.

[A delinquent boy]

There was a delinquent boy in my class. I (and other classmates) was scared of him. If I attracted the attention of him, I was bullied by him.

[Signs of maladaptation]

Although most classmates were kind to me, a few of them weren't. Bullying was not so serious, but I began to show signs of maladaptation.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Economic impact of selective mutism

I wasn't psychiatrist nor psychologist. In fact, I majored in economics when I went to college.

I searched the literature that analyze selective mutism from economists' point of view. But I couldn't find them as I expected. But I found related literature. I read only abstract, though.

[Economic impact of autism]

One of them is Jarbrink, K., and Knapp, M. (2001). The economic impact of autism in Britain. Autism, 5(1), 7-22. According to the abstract, this study estimates economic consequences of autism in the UK. The lifetime cost for a person with autism exceeded ￡2.4 million. The main costs are for living support and day activities.

[Economic impact of selective mutism?]

I get a hint from the study. "Economic impact of selective mutism." But as far as Japan, almost all children with selective mutism don't receive living support nor go to day activity centers.

[Direct cost]

As far as selective mutism, some Japanese children see doctors or counselors. Some of their parents pay their money to see doctors or counselors. But some don't.

Some children undergo counseling in schools or child consultation centers. If they do so, their parents didn't have to pay counseling fee. But as the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch. School counseling costs are covered by tax revenues or tuition. Counseling in child consultation centers are financed from tax revenues.

Some children may not see doctors nor counselors. Some of them are left without being noticed their selective mutism. Even if they are recognized as selectively mute children, teachers and parents don't necessarily refer to doctors nor counselors. When the children grow up but their symptom don't disappear, they or their parents may need to pay some cost.

So, how much cost?

[Indirect cost]

If we think cost in the context of economics, we also need to estimate "opportunity cost."

Let's think of a working mother. She recognizes that her daughter has selective mutism. So, she reduces her working hours to help her daughter. To help her daughter, she gives up her income that she earned before. The income that she gives up is opportunity cost.

Homemakers who have children with selective mutism also pay opportunity cost. They may study about selective mutism, negotiate with teachers or share their thoughts with other mothers on web forums. But if they put their time into any jobs, they will earn some income. That's opportunity cost.

Children also pay opportunity cost. For instance, if nobody treat thier selective mutism, their disturbances will interfere their educational or future occupational achievements. That may decrease their lifetime wages. That's opportunity cost.

[The most cost-effective treatment]

Anyway, I think that the most cost-effective treatment for selective mutism is early intervention. If early intervention is made, the symptom will disappear soon. But if early intervention isn't made, prognosis will be less favorable. If the symptom worsens, it takes considerable time and money to treat selective mutism.

But as far as Japan, early intervention is not necessarily made. I think that's because of imperfect information. Not all people know about selective mutism. Not all people know early intervention is cost-effective.

Three girl students

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Three girl students

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[Three girl students]

As soon as the new school term started, our homeroom teacher changed seating arrangements. At first we students seated according to the Japanese syllabary. But three girl students, K, N and Y suggested changing seating arrangements, and our homeroom teacher accepted it.

Seating was decided by drawing lots. The three girl students took the lead in drawing lots. From what I saw, they suggested changing seating arrangements just because they wanted to change them. I thought how pushy and impish girls they were. Although most students like changing seating arrangements, they usually didn't suggest it to teacher as soon as the new school term started.

Casting my lot and looking at it, I was very surprised. I was assigned to K's neighbor. K was the leader of the three girl students who suggested changing seating arrangements. In addition, a word Atari! (winning ticket!) was written in the lot by K.

In this way, I seated next to K. K and her friends' characters were completely opposite to me. But they cherished me. Curious to say, they often said, "Tomishige is Kawaii (cute) !"

[Y, a girl]

Among the three girls, particularly Y had a strong interest in me. Y was an active girl. She was tall, leggy and beautiful.

One episode I remember was when she and I ran together in an athletic meet. The athletic meet was held soon after the new school term started. She asked me to take part in an obstacle race in pairs with her, and I accepted it. She belonged to a track and field club. On the other hand, I wasn't good at running. But she adapted to my pace of running in the race.

Another episode was when I cleaned the entrance of the school. We students were supposed to clean the school. And a half of students of my class, including me, were assigned to clean the entrance of the school. But almost all students neglected cleaning. Believe it or not, only I cleaned the entrance. Then Y held a broom and said, "Tomishige, clean with me."

Y was very kind to me. I was sometimes helped by her. I didn't know why she was so kind to me. But I felt deeply grateful for her kindness. Even when I promoted to the ninth grade, we were in the same class. She had been very thoughtful of me until we graduated from the junior high school.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Hospitalized children with selective mutism in Japan

I like reading the literature about selective mutism. The other day, I bought a Japanese journal to read a paper on selective mutism. But it costs an arm and a leg. I live in poverty. :(

Some Japanese researchers publish case studies on hospital treatment for selective mutism.

A representative example is Mitsuhiro Tanzi's study (2002) "Long-term prognosis of children with elective muism who receive hospital treatment" in Bulletin of the Faculty of Social Welfare, Hanazono University, 10, 1-9. Tanzi reports 11 children with elective mutism who received hospital treatment from April 1982 to March 1988. Tanzi also presented the study to The Japanese Association of Educational Psychology. You can read the extract from http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110001887806/. The web site is provided by National Institute of Informatics (Japan).

Another recent study about hospital treatment I know was Shigemori Kyutoku et al. (1983)'s case report. Shigermori et al. reports a case that lasts mutism for seven years.

But they are rare cases. Most Japanese professionals don't use hospital treatment for selective mutism. Nonverbal treatment methods, for instance, play therapy and sandplay therapy, are popular. Behavioral therapy is also popular but is not frequently introduced as Europe and America.

Index of SM in Japan

New teacher

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

New teacher

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I was promoted to the eighth grade.

Before new school term started, we students were informed of new class composition. I was surprised to know the class composition.

[New teacher]

My new homeroom teacher was a young male teacher. He was a physical education teacher and was a adviser to a track and field club in my school.

He was known as an intimidating teacher. He sometimes imposed physical punishment on students.

When I was the seventh grade, I took his PE lessons. Receiving his lessons, I thought that I didn't want him to be my homeroom teacher.

[Nervous diarrhea]

At the first day of the school term, I had diarrhea. I guessed that my worries about new school life caused the diarrhea.

At that time opening ceremony was about to start. I needed to go to the bathroom. But I had selective mutism. It was difficult for me to ask my homeroom teacher's permission to go to the bathroom. But I managed to get his permission.

A few weeks later, I had diarrhea again. I managed to get my homeroom teacher's permission and went to the bathroom again.

Since then, when I'd tried to say something to him, he'd always asked me, "Bathroom?"

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective mutism on Yahoo!Japan Directory

Here is Yahoo! Directory on selective mutism.

Directory > Health > Diseases and Conditions > Selective Mutism

But there is no directory about selective mutism on Yahoo!Japan.

At present two Japanese websites about selective mutism are listed on Yahoo!Japan.
The one is in the anxiety disorder directory.
The other is in the handicapped children directory.

Yahoo!Japan have a dominating presence among Japanese search engine sites. Japanese people use Yahoo!Japan search rather than Google search. So, it's important for Japanese web masters whether their web sites are listed on Yahoo!Japan directory or not.

I also manage a Japanese website The Selective Mutism Journal. I tried to submit my websie to Yahoo!Japan several times, but my website has never been submitted. :(

Index of SM in Japan

Unrequited love

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Unrequited love

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I loved one girl, K. She was a classmate girl. I didn't know how she thought of me, but I guessed that it was unrequited love.

In contrast to me, she had very sociable, convivial and extrovert personality.

In retrospect, I tended to love such girls when I suffered from selective mutism. I had a desire to change my extremely shy personality then. So, I was attracted by their personality.

* * * * * * * * * *

One episode I remember was that I touched her shoulder.

One day, I was asked her friend to get K. Ordinary students will utter a word to get K. But I had selective mutism. So, I approached her, touched her shoulder, and then point to her friend. K understood what I wanted to say and went to her.

I thought that I was lucky to be selectively mute. I was allowed to touch her shoulder because every classmate understood my selective mutism. If I didn't have selective mutism, my behavior might be regarded as sexual harassment.

* * * * * * * * * *

But I didn't confess my love to her.

I fell in love with many girls. But strange to say, I didn't want to go out with them when I had selective mutism.

I must have been odd boy. Most boys felt in love with the opposite sex want to go out with them. But I didn't. Why?

[Taijin kyofusho]

When I had selective mutism, I felt fear of communicating with others. In Japan, the symptom is called Taijin Kyofusyo. I guess that my fear of others was so terrible that my fear might exceed the appetite for communicating with girls.

[Sense of alienation]

I had a sense of alienation to children of my generation. I felt that I was a alien or something. My selective mutism was one of the most important factor causing a sense of alienation.

So, I felt that I couldn't go out with girls.

[My serious personality]

I was often called a "serious man." I was so serious that I believed that it was unwholesome to date with girls in puberty or adolescence.

* * * * * * * * * *

At the last month of the final school term, my homeroom teacher changed seating. It was the last time my teacher changed seating.

As a result of drawing lots, I was assigned to K's neighbor. I felt as if I was in heaven!

But when I thought carefully, I felt anxious for K. Were K satisfied to sit next to me? She was a chatterbox. On the other hand, I had selective mutism.

I spent a month next to K. When she left her desk, she became a chatterbox. But when she sat on her desk, she became mute. It was hard for me. She didn't seem to be happy when she sat next to me.

* * * * * * * * * *

Closing Exercises were held on March. In Japan school term starts in April and ends in March.

My teachers and classmates understood my mutism, although none of them might know the term "selective mutism." No people blamed me. They were very kind to me.

But my selective mutism didn't improve during the year.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Kanner's "psychogenic mutism"

[Kanner's classification of mutism]

childhood schizophrenia
infantile autism
idiocy mutism
deaf mutism
hysteric mutism
psychogenic mutism

The source of the classification is Leo Kanner's Child Psychiatry.

"Psychogenic mutism" is what is now called selective mutism.

Kanner's classification of mutism has been cited by Japanese literature on selective mutism. On the Internet, Wikipedia (Japanese edition) classifies mutism based on Kanner's classification.
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B7%98%E9%BB%99

But I've never seen the classification in English literature at present.

* * * * * * * * * *

Incidentally, according to Kanner's classification, where should these terms be classified into?

akinetic mutism
cerebellar mutism

Index of SM in Japan

My neighbor

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

My neighbor

* * * * * * * * * *

My homeroom teacher changed seating every month. Seating was decided by drawing lots.

I loved one classmate girl. I prayed that I would be assigned to her neighbor. But my pray didn't work.

* * * * * * * * * *

One day, I was assigned to Y's neighbor as a result of drawing lots.

Y was a classmate girl. It may be rude to say this, but she seemed to be a quiet and undistinguished girl in my class. Maybe some classmates didn't know her. In a way, I thought that she resembled me.

But when I first seated next to her, my impression of her changed.

She spoke to me pleasantly. She was very friendly with me. Until then, I had thought that she seemed to be undistinguished. But when I got close with her, I first realized her pleasant personality.

One episode I remember was that she said an interesting thing to me. "I think Tomishige is funny at heart." I'd never met people saying such a thing. I was a child with selective mutism. I was an impassive at school. But actually when I went back home, I became a funny boy.

* * * * * * * * * *

Unfortunately, Y moved to Tokyo at the end of the school year.

I wanted to say something to her, but I couldn't.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective mutism BBSes and FORUMs in Japan

Here is a Forum about selective mutism that I administer. Japanese only, though.

http://atbb.jp/smjournal/index.php

There are many BBSes and Forums about selective mutism in Japan. Administrators are individuals. Some of them are people who suffered (suffer) selective mutism. Some of them are mothers of children with selective mutism.

Many Japanese websites about selective mutism are administered by individuals. So are Japanese BBSes and Forums.

But I think that the largest BBS or Forum about selective mutism is a thread of 2ch.

http://life8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/utu/1183563051/l50

2ch is the largest Internet forum in Japan. One of the characteristics of 2ch is that people can post their comments anonymously. I guess that's one of the reason why 2ch is so large.

Index of SM in Japan

My academic performance

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

My academic performance

* * * * * * * * * *

[I was very good at ...]

English / Mathematics / Social studies

[I was good at...]

Japanese language / Science / Music

[I wasn't good at...]

Physical education / Art / Craft / Home economics

* * * * * * * * * *

Except for practical subjects, my academic performance was above average.

In Japanese junior high school, academic performance was measured by written exam. But practical subjects (Music, Physical education, Art, Craft, Home economics) were exception. In terms of practical subjects, practical exam was also important.

We Japanese children were obliged to learn English from junior high school. Believe it or not, I always got good grades on English exam, although I was not good at Japanese. :(

Social studies was one of the most favorite subject. I was a Shakai Gakari. Shakai Gakari was a class committee member that assists social studies teacher.

But my academic performance in practical subjects was poor on the whole. I didn't like practical subjects. Although most male students liked physical education, I didn't like it.

* * * * * * * * * *

Aside from my academic performance, our homeroom teacher recorded our submission status. We had to submit many kinds of works to the teacher. Almost all students, especially male students, failed to submit those works at least once. But believe it or not, I never failed to do that.

I was a very obedient student.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Virginia tech shooting and selective mutism

The Wall Street Journal reported August 20 that Seung Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech gunman, was diagnosed with selective mutism.

The news spread. The Washington Post, USA Today, International Herald Tribune, Associated Press, ABC News also reported the relationship between Cho and selective mutism.

When I searched "selective mutism" on Google, a picture of Cho was displayed on the search result. I was surprised. The picture was from The Washington Post web site.

Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum's comments were appeared on ABC News and roanoke.com, a web site of a Virginia-based newspaper.

But as far as I know, no Japanese media report Cho's selective mutism. So, I reported that on my Japanese blog "The Selective Mutism Journal".

* * * * * * * * * *

Before The Wall Street Journal's report, some people guessed that Cho suffered from selective mutism.

socialanxiety.com sent out a press release on April. The press release suggested the possibility that Cho suffered from selective mutism.

Club (2)

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Club (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

I joined Igo and Shogi club.

Igo and Shogi club was a relatively small club. All members were boy students. Although club name was Igo and Shogi club, no students were interested in Igo. All students played Shogi.

* Shogi is Japanese chess.

Six new students joined the club. Some of them were brilliant students. They were enthusiastic about Shogi and were strong Shogi players. But some of them weren't interested in Shogi. They joined the club because they thought that the club must be easy.

Third-year students in the club were especially brilliant. All of them were high-achieving students and were members of the student council of my junior high school.

Mr. K was one of them. He was the student council president. I respected him. He was the strongest Shogi player of the club.

[My first play]

Club members played Shogi freely.

But I didn't (couldn't) play game at first. I stood around in club room in silence. I even avoided club members. I was a student with selective mutism.

One day, one new club member tried to play a game with me. But I hesitated. Then, a teacher advisor of the club said to him with joke, "Tomishige is a great man. If you want to play with him, you need to make a bow to him." So, he made a bow to me with joke and said, "Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu." So, I played with him. That's my first play.

When I think back, I felt bad for him.

[Choko]

I had a bad habit. While I played the game, I took a lot of time thinking. In Japanese it's called Choko. It must have been a nuisance for my opponents. Although no opponents said to me that my Choko was a nuisance, I felt guilty.

Since I had selective mutism, I had been indecisive. But I couldn't break my bad habit.

[Speak 2,000 words a day!]

Manager of the club sometimes visited my classroom. He had a role in taking care of new students like me.

He often gave me some advises about my mutism. "Speak 2,000 words a day. If you achieve the goal, then speak 3,000 words a day."

Of course, I couldn't.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Kandou

Mutism is English.

In Japanese, mutism is called Kanmoku. Kan means "sealing" or "shutting one's mouth." Moku means "becoming silent."

In the Japanese blogosphere, many people interested in selective mutism also use a word Kandou. Kan means "sealing," as I mentioned earlier. Dou means "moving." So, Kandou means "sealing one's moving," in other word, "becoming immobile" or "freezing."

But no Japanese dictionary lists the word Kandou. Who coined the word?

An acquaintance of mine taught me that Kandou is coined by Hirofumi Kawai, author of Bamen Kanmokuji no Shinri to Shido (Psychology and guidance of children with selective mutism).

(Children with selective mutism have) behavioral inhibition tendencies. They are slow in their movements and behaviors. Especially when they get worse, their movements themselves were inhibited, and they seals their movements. So to speak, they become Kandou.

Index of SM in Japan

Club (1)

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Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Club (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

At my junior high school we had to belong to some club.

Club can be classified into two types. One is sport club. For instance, baseball club, basket ball club, track-and-field club, etc. The other is culture club. For instance, brass band club, art club, science club, etc.

[Sport club]

At first I was going to join sport club. I thought that I might be able to change myself if I was trained in sport club. As a student with selective mutism, I wanted to change my anxious temperament.

But seeing other students who were going to join sport club, I abandoned that idea. I was too different from them. I was not active as they were. I had no confidence in going through rigorous training with them.

[Igo and Shogi club]

Fortunately, my school had Igo and Shogi club. Igo is a strategic board game. Shogi is Japanese chess. I was good at Shogi, so I decided to join the club. Of course, Igo and Shogi club was a culture club, not a sport club.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective mutism offline meeting in Japan

Some Japanese people with selective mutism have offline meeting.

Although selective mutism is known as a childhood disorder, some people suffer from mutism even in adult. Of course, many people overcome mutism. But even if they get to be able to speak, they sometimes have some lasting effect.

So, some people have offline meeting to share their worries. Offline meeting also seems to help them to deepen exchanges and solve their problems.

But I have never attended offline meeting. I live in a remote city, so I can't afford to pay transportation cost. If I have more money, I want to use them for studying selective mutism.

Index of SM in Japan

Study in junior high school

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Study in junior high school

* * * * * * * * * *

[Educational district]

My school district was also known as educational district. Many students had education-minded parents and therefore tended to study hard.

I was not an exception. My mother expected me to go to prestigious high school. Believe it or not, my parents graduated from one of the most prestigious high school in my school district. In addition, I had to rebuild my family because I was the eldest brother of a fatherless family. So, I thought that I also had to study hard to enter prestigious high school.

It goes without saying that educational background is important to make a career in Japan. Especially in my region, graduating from prestigious high school is more important than graduating from prestigious college.

[Another important matter]

Unlike elementary schools, junior high schools conduct final term exams, mid-term exams and academic ability tests. Of course, elementary schools in Japan also conduct exams, but junior high school exams are more important and difficult than elementary school exams.

I desired to overcome my selective mutism. But I had another important matter to tackle.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Helping your child with selective mutism in Taiwan and Japan

Helping your child with selective mutism ,a Canadian book that shows practical method of overcoming selective mutism, is translated into Chinese (sold in Taiwan) and Japanese.

In Taiwan that book is translated into 幫助選擇性不說話的孩子. In Japan 場面緘黙児への支援.

August 2005
Helping your child with selective mutism is published.

February 2007
Taiwanese translation is published.

July 2007
Japanese translation is published.

I wish that German books about selective mutism were also translated into English or Japanese. In German many books about selective mutism are published. But because of the language barrier, I can't read them.

Tomishige-chan

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

Tomishige-chan

* * * * * * * * * *

[New homeroom teacher]

Our new homeroom teacher was a young male teacher. He was a teacher of music and was a adviser to a volleyball club in my school.

[Shy teacher]

From what I saw, he was very sociable with students. As a student with selective mutism, I felt envy of his sociability. But surprisingly, he told us that he was actually very shy with strangers.

I was surprised to hear that and felt close to him. He seemed to be introvert but behaved as if he had been an extrovert. But I thought that I was not shy as he was. My shyness was extreme. I could hardly utter words in school.

[Tomishige-chan]

Fortunately he understood me. Although I didn't speak in school, he didn't force me to utter words.

He sometimes talked about me in our class on purpose. I guess his intention was to prevent me from being isolated from students.

One day when we attended his music class, he called me "Tomishige-chan." "Chan" is a Japanese diminutive suffix. But usually "Chan" is attached to young children or girls. Why he called me "Tomishige-chan" was a mystery. But my classmates also began to call me "Tomishige-chan" with affection.

Thanks to my homeroom teacher's consideration, I was not bullied. I was accepted by classmates. I was viewed as a serious and bright boy by my classmates.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

A Japanese essay about selective mutism written by a teacher

I read a Japanese essay about selective mutism Hanaseru youninatta Masaesan (Ms. Masae gets to be able to speak), written in 1983. The author is Yasunori Ishikawa, a former teacher of elementary school.

The book is characterized by showing teacher's point of view about selective mutism. We can hardly find books or blogs written by teachers. Many Japanese books about selective mutism is written by therapists. Many Japanese blogs about selective mutism is written by people who suffered (or suffer) from selective mutism or their mothers.

The author administered controversial " treatment." He sometimes forced Masae to speak. When she wouldn't speak, he shouted at her or hit her head as hard as he could.

As a teacher, the author seemed to think that he needed to set goals (for instance, speaking in a social setting) and made children achieve them even if they reject that. That's education. But therapists don't think that way. They emphasize acceptance.

The author also tried to conduct comprehensive educational activity to open Masae's heart and recommended her to read books to promote her intellectual development. I think that is estimable.

Index of SM in Japan

New school life

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years

New school life

* * * * * * * * * *

I entered D public junior high school.

There were three elementary schools in D junior high school district.

a) A elementary school: I went to this school until I transferred to C elementary school.
b) B elementary school
c) C elementary school: I graduated from this school.
d) D junior high school: Most children who graduated from A, B, and C elementary school go on to this school.

So, I enrolled in the same school as my old classmates.

But actually I wanted to go to another school if possible. I thought that I might overcome my selective mutism if I went to a school where no one knew me.

In addition, I had a concern. If I went to D junior high school, I would meet students who once bullied me in A elementary school.

[New classmates]

I met new classmates.

Surprisingly, they included K and S, friends of mine. So, my anxiety about school was reduced a little. I guessed that Y, my former homeroom teacher, took into account my anxious temperament.

More surprisingly, they also included my former classmates who once bullied me when I had gone to A elementary school. But their attitude towards me changed significantly. They didn't bullied me, but instead they were friendly to me.

Besides, M, a former friend of mine, was also in the same class. He remembered me. But M and I didn't get friendly with each other as we used to be. M was friends with other students. I was also friends with K and S.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Japanese studies of selective mutism (1950 - 1959)

As far as I know, the first Japanese study on selective mutism is "Kuchi wo Kikanai Kodomo" ("Children who don't speak"), published in March 1951 in Jidou Shinri to Seishin Eisei (Child psychology and mental health). The author is Shiro Takagi, who worked in National Kokufudai Hospital.

The literature is based on an examination conducted by Takagi and his colleagues. They examined mental health of elementary school children from January 1949 to March 1950.

Takagi also wrote a study that mentions selective mutism. The one is "Shogakko niokeru Seishin Eiseijou no Mondai nitsuite" ("On mental health problem in elementary school") published in December 1951 in Gakko Hoken no Kenkyu (Studies on school health). The other is "Mondaiji no Hassei Genninron" ("Etiology of children with mental disorders"), published in 1952 in Ijouji (Chindren with mental disorders).

Shiro Nakagawa wrote a study "Sankankogyochiiki niokeru Gakudo no Seishinhoken Igakuteki Kenkyu" ("A psychiatric research into school children in mountainous industrial area") in 1952 in Ijouji (Chindren with mental disorders).

In 1956 Takeshi Goto wrote a case study "Jochosyogai niyoru Kanmokuji nitaisuru Shinriryoho no Ichijirei" ("Psychotherapeutic experience with a mute child") in Osakashiritsudaigaku Kaseigakubu Kiyo (Reports of the science of living). Goto used Allen, H.F.'s non-directive play therapy and succeeded in treating selective mutism.

In 1959 a noteworthy study was published in Kitakanto Igaku (The Kitakanto Medical Journal) . Kikuo Uchiyama wrote "Shoni Kanmokusho nikansuru Kenkyu" ("Studies on the Childhood Mutism"). As far as I know, it is one of the most full-scale study of selective mutism in Japan. His study consists of two studies. The one is about factors of the symptom formation. The other is about therapeutic procedures.

In the 60's more studies of selective mutism were published.

Index of SM in Japan

Selective mutism and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

I found an intriguing Japanese essay Boku no toriatsukai setsumeisho - Mama ha shinmai therapist (An instruction manual of my son - The mother is a novice at therapist).

The writer is a child therapist who have a selectively mute son with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genomic disorder.

I know that there have already been some studies about genomic disorder and selective mutism. The one is about an association with fragile X syndrome and selective mutism [1]. The other is about a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 18 with selectively mute child [2].

But I first hear a child with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who is colonized by selective mutism.

* * * * * * * * * *

[1] Hagerman RJ, Hills J, Scharfenaker S, Lewis H (1999). Fragile X syndrome and selective mutism. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 83(4), 313-317.

[2] Grosso S, Cioni M, Pucci L, Morgese G, Balestri P. (1999). Selective mutism, speech delay, dysmorphisms, and deletion of the short arm of chromosome 18: a distinct entity? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 67, 830-831.

Index of SM in Japan

Graduation

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Graduation

* * * * * * * * * *

[School memories]

Before graduation, we school children had to write an essay about school memories. The essay would appear in yearbook.

Most classmates had pleasant memories and wrote them. But I didn't have such memories. I don't know whether that was because I suffered from selective mutism.

In the end, I wrote a memory of Gasshuku (a Japanese word that means "lodging together"). Although Gasshuku was a painful event for me, I wrote that Gasshuku was one of the most pleasant memory.

[Graduation ceremony]

The graduation ceremony was held in gymnasium in late March. We received our diploma from principal.

Then we returned to classroom. Our homeroom teacher said a final farewell to us.

And lastly, we handed carnations to our teacher one at a time. Handing carnations, almost all classmates said "Arigatou gozaimashita" (Thank you very much) to him.

But only I handed a carnation to him without uttering a word. I also wanted to thank him, but I couldn't.

* * * * * * * * * *

In this way, I graduated from elementary school.

I suffered from selective mutism when I was the fourth grade. Since then, three years had passed. But my mutism didn't disappear. Even worsened.

I went on to junior high school without curing selective mutism.

(To be continued to the next chapter)

Index of SM story

Japanese video about selective mutism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iA8E_kWUCM

I made a Japanese video about selective mutism.

[Translation]

Selective Mutism

An emotional disorder characterized by a failure to speak in certain situations such as schools because of mental problems despite the ability to speak in home.

It is said that about less than 1 percent children exhibit the symptom.

They are not ordinary shy children.

Their problems are not only a failure to speak, but also academic failure, social withdrawal from peer groups, and so on.

If you meet children with selective mutism, enhance their confidence, not force them to speak.

The Selective Mutism Journal
http://smjournal.com/

Sound Avenue
http://www40.tok2.com/home/sarami/

Gasshuku

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Gasshuku

* * * * * * * * * *

Gasshuku - A Japanese word that means "lodging together."

My school hosted Gasshuku for fifth and sixth grade children many times. For most children, Gasshuku was one of the most pleasant event. But for me, it was painful event.

Being a child with selective mutism, I didn't like group activity like Gasshuku.

Besides, we had to take a bath together at night in Gasshuku. Being extremely shy, I was hesitant to get naked in front of a group.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

I cannot speak English

Many Japanese can read English, but few can speak. And I was not an exception.

When I was in a bus yesterday, a person from another country asked me whether the bus went through train station or not in English!

At that time I read a literature about selective mutism written in English. So, he might have thought that I could understand English.

But as I mentioned earlier, I could read English, but could not speak. So, I was a little puzzled.

In the end, I said to him a word, "No." I meant to say that the bus did not go though train station. He said to me "Thank you" with smile, and got off the bus.

Selectively mute child at puberty

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Selectively mute child at puberty

* * * * * * * * * *

M seems to love Tomishige.

I heard a rumor from my classmate.

M was my classmate. She was a neighbor of K, a friend of mine. She was very popular with boys.

Her behavior toward me was strange.

For instance, in an art class, when I was painting, she came over to me and said, "Would it be all right if I use your water holder?" But her desk was long away from mine. I couldn't understand why she came all the way to my place.

But she didn't confessed her love to me. I was not sure whether she loved me or not then.

Whether she loved me or not, the rumor enhanced my confidence enormously. Until then, I suffered from low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. But I may have been considered as attractive by the opposite sex.

* * * * * * * * * *

I met another girl who was interested in me. Every time she met me, she said, "Tomishige, cute!"

She was also the 6th grade, but she was not my classmate. Why she knew me was a mystery to me.

But her attitude toward me also enhanced my confidence.

* * * * * * * * * *

Whoever praised me, my self-esteem was still low. But my confidence was enhanced enormously when I felt loved by girls. I may have been a lustful boy.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Chinese literature on selective mutism

You can search Chinese literature on selective mutism.

http://search.cnki.net/index.aspx

As long as I know, selective mutism has been studied at least since 1979 in China.

* * * * * * * * * *

[related links]

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/en/
http://ci.nii.ac.jp/

CiNii is provided by National Institute of Informatics. You can search Japanese Literature on selective mutism.

CAMPUSMON.COM

CAMPUSMON.COM is Korean site. You can search Korean Literature on selective mutism.

Fatherless family

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Fatherless family

* * * * * * * * * *

[Latchkey child]

As I mentioned earlier, my father passed away when I was the fourth grade. A few month after my father's funeral, my family bought a new house, and moved from my relatives' house to there.

When I went home after school, my mother was at work. I was alone. I became a latchkey child.

[No friends]

Even after I moved to a new house, I didn't (couldn't) make friends. Although there were some children around my house, I avoided them. When I happened to see them, I got mute.

[After-school lessons]

Before my father passed away, I went to Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) and swimming school after school. But after my father's passing, I didn't.

I sometimes asked for permission from my mother to go to cram school. Some classmates went to cram school and many of them had a good school record. I was envious of them. But she didn't give me permission.

I didn't know why she didn't give me permission, but I supposed that was because my fatherless family didn't have enough money.

[Staying indoor]

Before my father passed away, we family sometimes went on trips on weekend. But after my father's passing, we didn't. I supposed that was because my mother was too tired to go on trips because of work and household chores. Or my family couldn't afford to go on trips.

So, we didn't go out even on weekend. We stayed indoor.

In this way, I didn't mingle with friends. I stayed indoor most of the time.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Japanese essays about selective mutism

I read a Japanese essay book Maketara Akan!, written by Yuriko Ishikawa and Mari Ishikawa.

Mari was a woman who once suffered from selective mutism more than 10 years. Yuriko was her mother. The book is about their fight against selective mutism and impulse to suicide.

There is another essay book about selective mutism in Japan. Kimino Tonarini, written by Kayo Sakura who also suffered from selective mutism.

I suppose that it is Japanese culture to publish essays about selective mutism. We can find many Japanese essays written by SM sufferer, ex sufferer and their mothers in the blogsphere. Among them, Selective Mutism - My Memories is the first English blog that is translated from Japanese. :)

Index of SM in Japan

Commemorative writings

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Commemorative writings

* * * * * * * * * *

At the end of the fifth grade, my homeroom teacher had us write compositions about our school life. Then he had us gather them and edit "commemorative writings" of our class.

We managed to complete editing them before the last day of the final school term.

[My composition]

I read my composition several years ago. I felt embarrassed. It was pretty immature. But other classmates' ones were mature. Compositions reflected children's mental maturity.

I had felt that I was more immature than children of the same age since entering kindergarten. Even when I was promoted to the fifth grade, I was still immature as ever.

[Cartoon of me?]

The cover of the commemorative writings was cartoon drawn by M, a classmate girl who lived nearby a friend of mine K's house. She draws classmates presenting their compositions.

In her cartoon, one anxious boy was drawn. He waited his turn to present his compositions, but his heart was beating fast. By his appearance, he seemed shy. Some classmates said, "Maybe this shy boy was Tomishige."

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Korean literature on selective mutism

Korean website.

CAMPUSMON.COM

Although its design is fancy, you can search Korean literature on selective mutism. Most of them are case studies, especially case studies of art therapy.

[Related links]

Japanese literature on selective mutism
http://selectivemutism-mm.blogspot.com/2007/03/
japanese-literature-on-selective-mutism.html

Chinese literature on selective mutism
http://selectivemutism-mm.blogspot.com/2007/05/
chinese-literature-on-selective-mutism.html

About my self-esteem

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

About my self-esteem

* * * * * * * * * *

When I was the 5th grade, I had very low self-esteem.

But at the same time I had high confidence in some specific things.

For instance, I was good at arithmetic and social studies, as I mentioned earlier. So, I had high confidence in getting high mark in exams in arithmetic and social studies.

Another thing I had confidence in is Shogi, a Japanese chess. When I was the 5th grade, many classmates played Shogi at break. I also did. I beated many classmates. I was known as a strong Shogi player among my classmates. In this way, when it came to Shogi, I also had high confidence.

But my self-esteem was extremely low. I suffered from terribly inferior complex even my superiority in arithmetic, social studies and Shogi.

Both high confidence and low confidence was mixed in my heart. But on the whole, my self-esteem was extremely low, probably because of my selective mutism.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

How many Japanese have Selective Mutism?

It is said that less than 1 percent of children have selective mutism.

According to a paper in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the prevalence of selective mutism is estimated about 0.7 percent.

Also in Japan, many psychologists have estimated and reported the prevalence.

Kawai (1994) gathered the Japanese literature in 1959-1980, and summarized that the prevalence of selective mutism is about 0.15-0.38 percent.

In more resent study, Muramoto (1983) sent questionnaires to public elementary schools and public junior high schools (except special schools) in Kamikawa district, norther Japan, and put the incidence at 0.027 percent in elementary schools and 0.041 percent in junior high schools.

Hasegawa and Kaneda (1996) also sent questionnaires to day-care centers and kindergartens in the City of Sizuoka, the center of Japan, and reported that the incidence of selective mutism was 0.1 percent.

As long as I know, all Japanese literature reported that there were more selectively mute girls than boys. That is common to the literature in other countries.

Looking back on my school days, I saw many reticent and shy children. But I didn't see mute and extremely shy children like me. I believed that there may have been no children like me in the world.

But other Japanese people said that there were at least one child with selective mutism in every school.

[Conclusion]

Selective mutism seems to be rare disorder also in Japan. Prevalence of selective mutism in Japan also may be less than 1 percent. But it may be not be as large as in the US. One common thing between the literature in Japan and other countries is that there are more selectively mute girls than boys.

Index of SM in Japan

My favorite subjects

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

My favorite subjects

* * * * * * * * * *

What subjects was I good at when I was the 5th and 6th grade?

[I was very good at ...]

* arithmetic

I have only a few friends to play with. So, I often solved arithmetic problems during a break between classes.

* social studies

When I was the 5th grade, my homeroom teacher taught us Japanese history in social studies classes. It was the first time I had studied Japanese history in school, and it was really fascinating for me.

When I was promoted to the 6th grade, I learned politics and economy. I was very surprised to know a concept "human rights." The constitution of Japan guarantees my fundamental human rights. Until then, I believed that I was insignificant.

[I was good at...]

* Japanese language

* science

* music

I was good at playing the recorder. So, my music performance was good when we learned recorder. But when we learned singing, my performance wasn't good. I didn't know how my music teacher measured my singing performance. I was a child with selective mutism.

[I wasn't good at...]

* physical education

* art

* home economics

I wasn't good at subjects about practical skills.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective Mutism on YouTube

I like YouTube. Also in Japan, YouTube is one of the most popular site.

Do you know that videos about selective mutism are uploaded on YouTube? If you are interested, try to search "selective mutism" on YouTube.

My self-evaluation

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

My self-evaluation

* * * * * * * * * *

Report card is called Tsuchibo in Japan. At the end of the school term, homeroom teachers pass report cards to children.

[Original report cards]

Mr.Y, my homeroom teacher, created original report cards.

Existing report cards measured children's performance. Japanese language, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, music, art and home economics. But Mr.Y thought that children should be measured from more different angles. For example, did the child follow rules in school? Was the child emotionally stable? How was the child's attitude in cleaning time?

In addition, he thought that children themselves as well as teacher should measure their performance.

So, Mr.Y added evaluation items to report cards. And he altered cards to have children themselves measure their peformance.

[My self-evaluation]

I measured my performance and showed my self-evaluation card to Mr.Y.

Mr.Y also measured my performance. Compared with my self-evaluation, he evaluated my performance more positively. Looking at my card, Mr.Y said, "I think you underestimate yourself. You may as well value yourself higher."

But I thought that my evaluation was appropriate, and Mr. Y overestimated me.

[Gap between self-evaluation and evaluation by others]

Since then, I was bothered with the gap between self-evaluation and evaluation by others. Many people valued me. But I didn't.

I heard that children with selective mutism tend to have low self-esteem. Was my self-evaluation low?

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

A chronological table of selective mutism

1877

Adolf Kussmaul described "aphasia voluntaria." It was the first time selective mutism had been described in the literature.(Die Störungen der Sprache. Versuch einer Pathologie der Sprache)

1934

Moritz Tramer used the term "elective mutism." (Elektiver Mutismus bei Kindern)

1973

Stina Hesselman suggested the term "selective mutism." (Selektiv mutism hos barn)

1980

DSM-III was published. It included "Elective Mutism."

1991

Selective Mutism Foundation was founded in the US. Pioneers of non-profit organization of selective mutism.

1992

Selective Mutism Information and Research Association was founded in the UK.

1994

DSM-IV was published. The name "elective mutism" was changed into "selective mutism."

1999

The Selective Mutism Group was founded in the US.

Playing with friends(2)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Playing with friends(2)

* * * * * * * * * *

[An serious incident]

One day I played with K, S and a K's friend around K's house. A serious incident happened. When we played outside, I witnessed K's friend injuring badly and being bleeding. But K and S were in other places. I had to told K and S this incident promptly.

But I was at a loss. I was a child with selective mutism. How could I inform them of the incident?

In this way, it took extra time to inform. I felt guilty.

[Too indecisive]

When I played with K in his house, a big problem occurred in the evening. K asked me, "Tomishige, do you continue to play or go back home?" But I couldn't decide. I was so indecisive that it took about 5 - 10 minutes to decide whether I continued to play or not.

[I didn't ask over K]

I was always asked over by K, but I didn't ask over K. To me, my house was my territory. I couldn't bear anyone coming into my house. In addition, if K came into my house, my secret would come out of the closet. That is, I was not a bright nor serious boy.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Playing with friends (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Playing with friends (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

I sometimes played with K and S in K's house after school. I got mute even in K's house.

I'll write about my memories.

[K's bookshelf]

K showed me his bookshelf. I was surprised to see that. A large number of books were stored in the shelf. But K said, "It's part of my all books." Moreover, his library included even books in English.

K asked me, "Tomishige also has a lot of books, doesn't you?" I didn't have nor read so many books. But peer pressure put on me to nod my head. I felt strong pressure to behave like a bright boy like K. I couldn't relax even when I played with friends.

One day K showed me a gag cartoon in English from his bookshelf. The cartoon was so comical that I could not help smiling.

It was shocking for me. I was a child with selective mutism. I couldn't even smile when I got together with my classmates. But I smiled to see the cartoon in front of K.

K noticed that I was smiling. I was so embarrassed to show my smile.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Japanese literature on selective mutism

You can search Japanese literature on selective mutism on CiNii.

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/en/
http://ci.nii.ac.jp/

CiNii is provided by National Institute of Informatics. CiNii's database includes Japanese literature which aren't listed on PubMed.

* * * * * * * * * *

[Related links]

Chinese literature on selective mutism
http://selectivemutism-mm.blogspot.com/2007/05/
chinese-literature-on-selective-mutism.html

Korean literature on selective mutism
http://selectivemutism-mm.blogspot.com/2007/04/
korean-literature-on-selective-mutism.html

Index of SM in Japan

Friend's home

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Friend's home

* * * * * * * * * *

I made new friends. K and S.

We sometimes played together after school. Our leader was K. He always asked S and me over.

In K's house, we saw his family.

[K's mother]

K's mother was a a full-time homemaker. Besides doing household chores, she was involved in a volunteer activity. When I went to K's house, she was usually hospitable to me.

She was very kind to me even in school situation. For instance, one day we school children went on a school outing with our parents. It was a hot summer day. I was sweating. Seeing me, she handed a wet towel and said, "Please hang this towel, and it will prevent you from getting dehydrated." She usually took such special care of me. Maybe I was viewed as a child whom need special care.

[K's father]

We rarely saw K's father. He was busy at work.

"My father is a professor at ** University," K said. I understood why K was so bright but eccentric.

[K's sister]

K had a younger sister. I and S didn't play with her very much, but she sometimes helped us, for instance, answering the door. I felt that she was a disciplined girl.

I was sensitive about how she thought about me. How did a child feel about a older boy with selective mutism? Did see despise me in her heart for my extremely shyness? Although she didn't take such a cavalier attitude towards me, I could not help being sensitive.

[M, a classmate girl]

M, a classmate girl lived nearby K's house. She was very popular with classmate boys, but I wasn't interested in her. I loved A, a friend of M who was the most violent girl in my class.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Hay fever in Japan

It's hay fever season in Japan. About one out of every six Japanese suffer from hay fever. Some sufferer wear masks or even glasses to relieve their symptoms.

According to the Wikipedia, the main cause of hay fever in the US is ragweed. On the other hand, in Japan is Japanese cedar.

Cedar pollen has been circulating earlier than usual this year because of warm winter.

I'm also a hay fever sufferer. I sometimes wear a mask when I go out. I don't want to open the window for a while.

New friends

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

New friends

* * * * * * * * * *

A few months after I was promoted to the 5th grade, I had new friends.

It may be odd, because I was satisfied with being alone, as I mentioned earlier. I can't remember why I made friends. Maybe I couldn't decline offer of friendship due to my passive temperament.

I had two friends.

[K]

K was a bright but eccentric boy.

He was a cultured boy and always earned high marks on tests.

His nickname was "Nepal," because he lived in Nepal for a while when he was in the 3rd grade.

He sometimes took proud in his father. "My father is great! He doesn't have cars, because he doesn't want to pollute the air." How ecological father he was! But I thought K also was. I saw that K blew his nose not with his tissues but with his handkerchief!

Not only car. According to the rumor, his family didn't have TV.

[S]

S was a mild and serious boy.

I got acquainted with S in the previous class. Since then, he had been kind to me.

[Trio]

We were good friends. We sometimes played together. Leader was K.

But K and S had many friends other than me. When they played with other children, I was alone.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Pros and cons of school choice system in Japan

Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, introduced school choice system into public elementary and public junior high school education in 2000. It was the first time school choice system had been introduced into public education in Japan.

Since then an increasing number of local governments have begun to adopt the system.

But there is an argument about whether the system should be introduced or not.

[Proponents]

School choice system should be introduced. It will bring two benefits to children and their parents.

The first is that it will give them the range of options.

The second is that it will trigger competition among each schools. Competition will make schools and teachers more attractive and original.

The era of socialism has passed.

[Opponents]

School choice system should not be introduced.

Public education should be equal. But if school choice system is introduced, it will set off competition. That will cause gaps between schools. In fact, in Shinagawa Ward, no students entered into one small junior high school in 2006. Another concern is that competition can cause regional divide in education.

Public education is public goods. It should not be left to market mechanisms.

Lack of friends made me happy (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Lack of friends made me happy (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

[Positive solitude]

We should think more positively about being alone. There are lots of advantages in solitude. For example, solitude gives us free time.

I think that there are two types of people. Those who feel pleasure to mingle with their friends, those who feel pleasure to be alone.

But most teachers and parents teach their children that it's miserable to be alone and children should make a lot of friends. So, almost all children, including those who feel pleasure to be alone in nature, believe that way. Such myth inflict pain on children with no friends.

Why should children make friends? I think that they impose specific value to children.

No one may sympathize with that idea.

But I believed that way. I didn't at all want to make friends.

[After that]

Lastly, I'll write a bit about my life after I graduated from elementary school.

As I get older, my above thought got stronger and stronger. Some teachers advised me, "You may as well have friends. If you have any friends, they can be treasures for you throughout your life." But I didn't change my mind.

Especially when I was in junior high school, I thought that I should not have had friends, because many teachers said, "Don't be influenced by others if you want to pass the college entrance exam."

But when I was in college, I wavered. I heard that students who didn't have friends couldn't land a job. So, I thought something like, "Should I make friends to land a job?"

Maybe I was an eccentric person.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Lack of friends made me happy (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Lack of friends made me happy (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

If you find a child who have no friends, do you think he or she is happy or unhappy?

Most people will answer, "He or she is unhappy."

I can agree with that. Anxious child, especially, tend to feel lonely. But there's an exception.

[I felt pleasure in being alone]

My friendless state has continued for more than half a year. The last friend I made was M whom I got acquainted with in the previous school.

At first I felt lonely. I desired for friends.

But gradually, my feelings changed. I felt pleasure in being alone. I was satisfied with refusing friendship and spending my time with doing what I wanted. I never thought that being alone was fun!

I enjoyed solitude. Being alone gave me freedom. I thought my friendless state positively. That made my school life happy. You may think that I was an eccentric boy, though.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

I was a serious boy only in school(2)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

I was a serious boy only in school(2)

* * * * * * * * * *

[I was not serious!]

My teacher and most classmates viewed me as serious. But in my house, I was not such a boy. In fact, I liked a gag cartoon Tsurupika Hagemaru.

"Tomishige is serious. So, you watch only serious TV program, didn't you?"

I was sometimes asked that way by my classmates. I couldn't shake my head honestly.

Everyone viewed me as a serious boy. My homeroom teacher, especially, praised my seriousness. So, I was obsessed by the idea that I must behave like a genuine serious boy.

In this way, I was not able to relax in school more and more. Its' my own fault, though.

[After that]

Lastly, I'll write a bit about my life after I graduated from elementary school.

When I was in junior high school, high school and college, I was viewed as serious as before. Some people said, "I've never seen such a serious man!"

In addition, my families also viewed me as serious, probably because I was obsessed by the idea that I must be serious, and behaved that way.

The beginning of my long "serious life" was the 5th grade area.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

I was a serious boy only in school(1)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

I was a serious boy only in school(1)

* * * * * * * * * *

[I Was a Serious Boy Only in School]

Serious, perfectionism, obedient...

Are there such kind of children with selective mutism?

When I suffered from severe selective mutism, I was also called Majime (serious) in school. It was odd. I was an ordinary boy in my house, but when I went to school, I became a serious boy.

Moreover, I was viewed as a bright boy in school(it was a misundersting, though).

So, I earned some respect from my classmates. I was not bullied in the class.

[Why Was I Viewed As A Serious Boy?]

* Because I was so obedient? *

I was so obedient to teachers. I never rebelled against them. Sometimes I very firmly adhered to rules. That probably caused my teacher and classmates to view me as a serious boy.

But I had not been serious in school before my selective mutism got worse. Selective mutism made me serious?

* Because I made efforts by using my inferior complex as a springboard? *

I had an inferior complex by nature. After I got selective mutism, my complex worsened. But I used the complex as a springboard and made efforts. Maybe that caused my teacher and classmates to view me as a serious boy.

For instance, I was very weak in PE and that gave me complex. But I thought that that was why I should train my body hard in PE lesson.

* Because I studied arithmetic in my break between classes? *

I couldn't make friends in the new class. I was always alone in my break between classes. Having nothing to do with, I studied arithmetic alone. Maybe that caused my teacher and classmates to view me as a serious boy.

And I was viewed as a bright boy (it was a misundersting, though). When quiet children are studying without uttering a word, many Japanese seem to regard them as bright children.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

New Classmates

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

New Classmates

* * * * * * * * * *

[I Was Not Bullied! I Did Not Sob!]

I was not bullied in this class, probably because Mr.Y's special care of me. It was the first time I had not been bullied in school.

Moreover, I didn't sob in the class, unlike in the privious class.

Many classmates was kind to me. I supposed that they didn't know a term "selective Mutism." But they seemed to understand that it took all sorts, including a child like me who couldn't speak, to make a world.

I couldn't talk, but many classmates spoke to me. They usually asked closed questions which forces a yes or no. So, all I had to do was nodding or shaking my head. I didn't have to utter words to answer their questions.

[A Kind Girl]

Among many classmates my friends was most kind to me (I'll give the details later). Other classmates who was especially kind to me was T, a kinky permanent girl.

Whatever class I was in, a few girls was kind to me. I didn't know why they were so kind to me. I guessed that they liked to do things for others.

Other than Mr.Y's special care of me, there were some reasons why I wasn't bullied.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Should MEXT introduce English education into elementary school?(2)

[Proponents]

MEXT should introduce compulsory English classes into elementary school.

We need to learn English more seriously due to globalization. But Japanese TOEFL average score is the worst among Asian countries. Other Asian countries, e.g. China, South Korea, have already introduced English classes into elementary school.

Another reason is that children can learn proper pronunciation by learning English early.

Some people argue that elementary school children should learn "beautiful Japanese" rather than English, because they are Japanese. But as Goethe said, "He who knows not foreign languages knows nothing of his own." Those who don't study foreign languages can't understand how "beautiful" Japanese is.

[Opponents]

MEXT should not introduce compulsory English classes into elementary school.

Children should learn Japanese rather than English, because they are Japanese. And those who master their native language tend to master foreign language speedily.

Language is basis of thought. If children don't have rich vocabulary in native language, they don't have rich vocabulary to think as well.

Moreover, there is no time to study English for elementary school children. Time to study is limited in school. They should study many kinds of things rather than English. People who speak English fluently but know nothing aren't genuine cosmopolitan.

Should MEXT introduce English education into elementary school?(1)

One of the most controversial topic on education in Japan is to introduce compulsory English education classes into elementary school. At present most Japanese children learn English from junior high school.

The Central Council for Education, a council in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT, a Japanese ministry), recommended in March 2006 that MEXT introduce compulsory English classes from 5th to 6th grade.

But in September 2006, Bunmei Ibuki, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, expressed his opposition.

I heard that the majority of Japanese approved of making English education compulsory at elementary schools, according to public opinion polls.

Should MEXT introduce English education into elementary school?

(To be continued)

New Teacher (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

New Teacher (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

[He Knew Selective Mutism?]

Mr.Y, my new homeroom teacher, realized me and paid special attention to me.

For instance, he consciously spoke about me in class not to isolate me from children.

He didn't blame my mutism, nor do vocal exercises.

He always took sides with me. One day in science class, he explained a word "no vital reaction." One boy said, "Tomishige has 'no vital reaction,'" and many classmates bourst out laughing. Mr. Y got angry, and scolded children. "Tomishige is not 'no vital reaction!' Tomishige is silent, but he thinks many things!"

Mr.Y's attitude toward me was similar to the attitude which teachers should take toward child with selective mutism. Maybe Mr. Y knew selective mutism, although he had never uttered a term "selective mutism" in the presence of me.

Another possibility was that he may not have known selective mutism, but he recognized me as a child who need special care, and dealt with my extreme shyness as possible as the way he thought of.

[Partiality?]

I had never known such a teacher. I was pleased with his special care. I liked him.

But I sometimes felt that he showed partiality.

Selectively mute children tend to avoid attracting attention, and I was one of them. But his special care of me made me conspicuous.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

New Teacher (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

New Teacher (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

I was promoted to the 5th grade.

My new homeroom teacher was Mr.Y. He was the first male teacher I had ever had.

Mr.Y seemed to be in his 40's and be the oldest teacher of all of the 5th grade homeroom teachers. But he insisted that he was 28.

He called children's names without honorifics. Although I had been firmly taught not to call children's names without honorifics in the previous school, I was used to be called that way then.

Soon after the new class started, Mr.Y realized that one child was a bullied in the class. He emphasized that bullying was wrong in homeroom period. I felt that how to deal with bullying differed from teacher to teacher.

Mr.Y realized me, a child with selective mutism, and saw me as a problem.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Warm Winter in Japan

Japanese archipelago is experiencing a record warm winter. My town has light snowfall. It's so weird.

According to the media, one possible cause of the warm winter is El Nino, ocean-atmosphere phenomenon.

I don't know if this year's warm winter is related to global warming or not.

Low Expectation

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

Low Expectation

* * * * * * * * * *

[Low Expectation]

Life is pain. At least for me, my life has been so and will be so.

If so, how shold I manage to live such a painful life?

I guess the answer is to have low expectations. I have no hope for anything good in my life. I will suffer from misfortune throughout my life. My mother and teacher will not help me. I have no potential.

By thinking this way, I can endure pains in my life, because I have low expectation from the beginning.

I thought that way when I was the 5-6th grade. Too pessimistic. My miserable experiences, e.g. selective mutism, bullying, and my father's passing, probably caused me to think that way.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Introduction of My 5-6th Grade Era

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 3 I Suffer From Severe Selective Mutism

Introduction of My 5-6th Grade Era

* * * * * * * * * *

[My Symptom]

When I was the 5-6th grade, my mutism was severe.

I could not speak and even smile. I had little facial expression. My movement was so slow as if I was in a daze. I was gloomy every day. I believed that I was a worthless boy and the world would be better off without me. I had an inferior complex.

I communicated with my classmates by nodding and shaking my head. I could read aloud in class, but my voice was very very thin.

In contrast, I was a chatterer in my house.

[I Didn't Know Selective Mutism]

I didn't know selective mutism then. I thought that my shy temperament caused me not to be able to speak in school. So, I had a strong desire to change my temperament.

But my shyness was so extreme that I sometimes guessed that I suffered from some sort of illness or disability and I should receive special education.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

smjournal.com

I got my domain name. :)

The Selective Mutism Journal (Japanese site)
http://smjournal.com/

Index of SM in Japan

Selective Mutism Webring

The Selective Mutism Webring exists. Sorry, the webring is only for Japanese websites.

At present about 20 websites, including my weblog The Selective Mutism Journal, are registered. Most majour Japanese websites about selective mutism join the webring. All of them are created by individuals.

http://www.webring.ne.jp/cgi-bin/webring?ring=s5271;list

Index of SM in Japan

Visit Japan Campaign

Minister of land, infrastructure and transport government of Japan conducts Visit Japan Campaign now.

According to Japan Tourism Policy Website, 16.83 million Japanese visited foreign countries in 2002. On the other hand, only 6.14 million foreign tourists visited Japan in the same year.

I want many travelers to visit Japan.

The photo below is Aizuwakamatsu Castle in northern Japan.

My 4th Grade Era

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 2 I Get Selective Mutism

My 4th Grade Era

* * * * * * * * * *

In this way, my 4th grade era ended. I underwent many miserable experience during the year.

* I was suddenly compelled to move against my will.

* I got selective mutism when I entered a new school.

* I was severely bullied in the school.

* A friend of mine who saved me from bullying transferred soon after I got acquainted with him.

* My father passed away.

* I changed school again, but my mutism got worse.

As my father passed away, I became an eldest son of a fatherless family. As an eldest son, I had a desire to study hard to enter a prestigious university, get into a reputable company and marry with a good woman so as to rebuild my family. My mother and relatives also said to me, "You have to help your mother."

But I was a child with selective mutism. I felt anxious about my future. Can I rebuild my family?

What was worse was that my self-esteem lowered during the year. I felt gloomy every day. I believed that I was a worthless boy and the world would be better off without me.

Under such circumstances, I was promoted to the 5th grade.

(To be continued on the next chapter)

Index of SM story

Failed to Adapt to New School Environment

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 2 I Get Selective Mutism

Failed to Adapt to New School Environment

* * * * * * * * * *

[Not Only Selective Mutism]

I couldn't adapt to the new school.

My problem was not only selective mutism.

I was extremely weak in a class which children play in gymnasium. (It was not PE) I couldn't get involved in the activity, and could do nothing but sob.

Although some classmates were kind to me, no one tried to make friends with me. I was often alone in classroom.

Almost all classmates bullied me in the previous class. In this class two classmates bullied me. One was a boy, the other was a girl.

[Cold Teacher]

My new homeroom teacher was an old woman.

She seemed to be disinterested in me. She was cold toward me and left me alone. Unlike my previous homeroom teacher, she didn't even scold me.

But she had intimate relationship with classmates except for me. I had a distrust of her. I guessed that she may have slighted me, because she was in charge of me only for 3 months. (it was the third school term of the 4th grade)

I knew later that she took charge of this class from 3rd grade. In other words, she had developed close relationships with the children since 3rd grade. That's why she and the children were so intimate together.

[K, A Beautiful Girl]

Speaking of the 3rd school term of the 4th grade, I remember a girl, K.

She was a tall beautiful girl, who took care of me for some reason when I couldn't get involved in school activities and sob.

I didn't know why she sometimes looked after me. She was not close with me on a daily basis. Why?

Maybe my homeroom teacher assigned caretaker to her in secret, because she was the class vice-captain. Another possibilities were that she liked to help people in trouble.

Her care was helpful for me.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story