* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
My words had great impact
* * * * * * * * * *
[I taught English to my classmates]
I was regarded a bright student, so some classmates asked me to teach Japanese history, mathematics, English, etc. Although I had selective mutism, I was able to speak quietly then. So, I taught my classmates them in a quiet voice. When I think back, it may have been a behavioural therapy.
[My words had great impact]
One day seating arrangements were changed, and my seat moved next to a female classmate. I became friendly with her.
On a certain day she felt depressed because she was rebuked by our homeroom teacher for her bad exam results. So, I offered words of encouragement to her. Of course, it was rare for me to talk to somebody, as I had selective mutism.
Fortunately, she was very pleased with my words. Girl students next to us said, "Your words have great impact. Even if talkative girls like us says the same words, that doesn't have high impact as yours." The next day the female classmates talked to other classmates about my yesterday's offering words of encouragement proudly. She seemed to be very glad about my words.
[I tended to avoid going to places where people gather]
I tended to avoid going to places where people gather. For instance, career guidance room and library in my school. But I don't know whether this was because I had selective mutism.
My school placed Akahon in the career guidance room. Akahon are Japanese student's bible that contains information about colleges and archives of colleges' entrance exams. Many students went to the career guidance room and read Akahon to gain information about colleges or to solve past colleges' entrance exams. In contrast, I didn't go to the room.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
