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

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Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Gasshuku

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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

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Chapter 3 I suffer from severe selective mutism

Selectively mute child at puberty

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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.

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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.

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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