* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
My teacher
* * * * * * * * * *
In terms of studying, I got good grades in my high school. A few months after I entered the school, I got 100 marks in an English grammar test. About 600 students in my high school took the test, but only 2 students (including me) got 100 marks. In addition, I most always reached the top of my class.
As far as studying goes, I was an outstanding student in my high school. Many students were good at sports but not studying.
But there was another reason. My homeroom teacher unlocked my potential. She believed my potential and often praised me. I'd never met such a teacher before. Under her direction, I got better grades.
I had a good relationship with her. She appreciated me. I made an effort to live up to her expectations.
One day in Chinese classics class, she taught us a proverb Shutsuran no homare. That means students surpass their teachers. She said, "I want someone to surpass me in future like the proverb." I determined to study hard and to surpass her in future.
But she didn't seemed to see my selective mutism as a problem. One day she had an interview with students' guardians. She also interviewed with my mother and said to her, "Tomishige is no problem!" Being quiet is a virtue in Japan. I guess she thought Tomishige was a good student who was bright and quiet.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sentakusei Kanmoku, Bamen Kanmoku
I sometimes envy people in English-speaking countries.
In Japan we call selective mutism Sentakusei Kanmoku or Bamen Kanmoku. They're very difficult words to spell and read.
I guess even many native Japanese can't spell or read these words. That's one reason why few Japanese know selective mutism. These words appear on a Japanese book Can you read these Kanji? -Check your degree of Japanese-.
It's difficult to change the words, because these words take root among child psychiatrist, educational psychologist, educator, etc.
On the other hand, people in English-speaking countries call selective mutism "SM." How simple!
Index of SM in Japan
In Japan we call selective mutism Sentakusei Kanmoku or Bamen Kanmoku. They're very difficult words to spell and read.
I guess even many native Japanese can't spell or read these words. That's one reason why few Japanese know selective mutism. These words appear on a Japanese book Can you read these Kanji? -Check your degree of Japanese-.
It's difficult to change the words, because these words take root among child psychiatrist, educational psychologist, educator, etc.
On the other hand, people in English-speaking countries call selective mutism "SM." How simple!
Index of SM in Japan
Friday, June 27, 2008
My Japanese accent
I study English every day. But learning English is not easy.
One learning method is "shadowing." While I hear someone speaking English (for example, from radio, CD, etc.), I repeat the same sentences I heard. One merit of shadowing is correcting my pronunciation.
I can't pronounce English correctly. I pronounce English with a strong Japanese accent.
But that means I had Japanese accent, although I didn't speak Japanese very much because of selective mutism.
My selective mutism disappeared later. I overcome selective mutism when I was around 20 years old. So, I didn't speak Japanese at school for a long time. But I also got selective mutism later. I spoke normally in kindergarten and school until I was 9 years old. Maybe I grew up with Japanese accent at that time.
One learning method is "shadowing." While I hear someone speaking English (for example, from radio, CD, etc.), I repeat the same sentences I heard. One merit of shadowing is correcting my pronunciation.
I can't pronounce English correctly. I pronounce English with a strong Japanese accent.
But that means I had Japanese accent, although I didn't speak Japanese very much because of selective mutism.
My selective mutism disappeared later. I overcome selective mutism when I was around 20 years old. So, I didn't speak Japanese at school for a long time. But I also got selective mutism later. I spoke normally in kindergarten and school until I was 9 years old. Maybe I grew up with Japanese accent at that time.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Four girl students
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
Four girl students
* * * * * * * * * *
After the first homeroom, four female students came to me and said, "Tomishige is kawaii! (cute!)"
During the homeroom period, I introduced myself. Although I had selective mutism, I managed to do so. Maybe they thought I was cute at that time. Or maybe they found me cute before homeroom.
They were the most active girls in the class. They usually said "Tomishige is kawaii!" and tried to make friends with me. They seemed to find me interesting.
I went through the same thing when I was the eighth grade. As an adolescent boy, I was happy at the time. But this time I felt unpleasant. I thought it was rude to say kawaii to a 15 years old boy even if they did so without malice. So, I sometimes gave them the cold shoulder. They sometimes got angry with me. But generally we were on good terms.
I didn't understand why girl students thought I was cute. When I wrote about that on my Japanese weblog The Selective Mutism Journal, a few readers of my blog said to me I looked cute, so they called me cute. But I guess the girls called me cute because they thought my behavior (such as my mute behavior, nodding and shaking my head, etc.) was cute.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
Four girl students
* * * * * * * * * *
After the first homeroom, four female students came to me and said, "Tomishige is kawaii! (cute!)"
During the homeroom period, I introduced myself. Although I had selective mutism, I managed to do so. Maybe they thought I was cute at that time. Or maybe they found me cute before homeroom.
They were the most active girls in the class. They usually said "Tomishige is kawaii!" and tried to make friends with me. They seemed to find me interesting.
I went through the same thing when I was the eighth grade. As an adolescent boy, I was happy at the time. But this time I felt unpleasant. I thought it was rude to say kawaii to a 15 years old boy even if they did so without malice. So, I sometimes gave them the cold shoulder. They sometimes got angry with me. But generally we were on good terms.
I didn't understand why girl students thought I was cute. When I wrote about that on my Japanese weblog The Selective Mutism Journal, a few readers of my blog said to me I looked cute, so they called me cute. But I guess the girls called me cute because they thought my behavior (such as my mute behavior, nodding and shaking my head, etc.) was cute.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Lack of conversation and brain development
A growing number of 20- and 30-somethings suffer from juvenile amnesia in Japan. According to the Japanese media, lack of conversation is a risk factor for amnesia. Does lack of conversation affect development of brain?
Children with selective mutism don't talk while they are in school or kindergarten. They spend a lot of time there. As their mutism was prolonged, they advance to more upper grades, and they spend more time in school. For example, if they are in the fifth-sixth grade, they go to school around 8:00 and return home around 15:00 (in Japan's case). So, they spend around 7 hours in school. That's nearly a half of their waking hours.
Of course, most children don't talk at school all the time. They are not allowed to chat in class. But on the whole selectively mute children talk much less frequently than usual ones.
If growing selectively mute children's symptoms are prolonged and they continue to be mute at school for a long time, what effect does that have on their brain development? If negative effects are observed, early intervention is important.
I have an interest in it but I've not found the literature that discusses selective mutism and brain development. Doesn't it matter?
Children with selective mutism don't talk while they are in school or kindergarten. They spend a lot of time there. As their mutism was prolonged, they advance to more upper grades, and they spend more time in school. For example, if they are in the fifth-sixth grade, they go to school around 8:00 and return home around 15:00 (in Japan's case). So, they spend around 7 hours in school. That's nearly a half of their waking hours.
Of course, most children don't talk at school all the time. They are not allowed to chat in class. But on the whole selectively mute children talk much less frequently than usual ones.
If growing selectively mute children's symptoms are prolonged and they continue to be mute at school for a long time, what effect does that have on their brain development? If negative effects are observed, early intervention is important.
I have an interest in it but I've not found the literature that discusses selective mutism and brain development. Doesn't it matter?
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Counseling organization on selective mutism (Japan)
These Japanese institutions provide support for children with selective mutism.
[Education Center]
Education Center is under city, prefectural or university management. EC offers several services. For instance, teacher training, research on education, educational counseling, etc.
Parents and children with selective mutism can receive counseling and psychotherapy at EC. EC sometimes publishes researches on selective mutism.
[Child Consultation Center]
Child Consultation Center is mostly under prefectural management, and partly under city management. CCC provides consultation services for guardians who have children with various problems, including selective mutism. In recent years an increasing number of Japanese people have consulted CCC about child abuse. Children with selective mutism can receive counseling and psychotherapy at CCC.
[Special Speech Class]
SSC is established for children with speech impediment, emotional disturbance, amblyopia, hearing impairment, etc. Children with selective mutism can also enroll in SSC (See Emotional disturbance).
As far as I heard, there's a lot of competition for enrollment in SSC. In addition, not all parents know SSC. So, I guess only small number of children with selective mutism enroll in SSC.
[Residential Treatment Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children]
RTCEDC is an institution that aims to treat mildly emotionally disturbed children, including selectively mute children. Sometimes they live in the center to treat disturbance. RTCEDC is under public or private management. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are 31 RTCEDC in Japan, and 1,131 children lived or went there as of October 1, 2006.
Index of SM in Japan
[Education Center]
Education Center is under city, prefectural or university management. EC offers several services. For instance, teacher training, research on education, educational counseling, etc.
Parents and children with selective mutism can receive counseling and psychotherapy at EC. EC sometimes publishes researches on selective mutism.
[Child Consultation Center]
Child Consultation Center is mostly under prefectural management, and partly under city management. CCC provides consultation services for guardians who have children with various problems, including selective mutism. In recent years an increasing number of Japanese people have consulted CCC about child abuse. Children with selective mutism can receive counseling and psychotherapy at CCC.
[Special Speech Class]
SSC is established for children with speech impediment, emotional disturbance, amblyopia, hearing impairment, etc. Children with selective mutism can also enroll in SSC (See Emotional disturbance).
As far as I heard, there's a lot of competition for enrollment in SSC. In addition, not all parents know SSC. So, I guess only small number of children with selective mutism enroll in SSC.
[Residential Treatment Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children]
RTCEDC is an institution that aims to treat mildly emotionally disturbed children, including selectively mute children. Sometimes they live in the center to treat disturbance. RTCEDC is under public or private management. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are 31 RTCEDC in Japan, and 1,131 children lived or went there as of October 1, 2006.
Index of SM in Japan
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Three courses
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Three courses
* * * * * * * * * *
I entered η high school.
η high school consisted of three courses. Career Course, Preparatory Course and Special Preparatory Course. CC incorporated vocational training into its curriculum. PC incorporated preparatory classes into its curriculum.
SPC also incorporated preparatory classes. But unlike PC, SPC aimed to help students to go to prestigious universities. Many freshmen wanted to enrol on SPC. But not all of their wishes came true. SPC recruited only about 160 students. On the other hand, students who wanted to enroll on the course exceeded 160 every year. School selected 160 students by the marks they obtained in entrance exam. So, only high-achieving students could enroll on SPC.
I wrote my will to study in SPC in documents I submitted to the school. But when I first went to school, I realized my class was PC, not SPC.
And I was surprised to see M. M was my former female classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me. Her class was SPC.
[First meeting of the class]
At the first meeting of the class, my homeroom teacher appeared in front of us and begun to talk about her and the class. According to her, she was a Japanese language teacher. Her age was 26. She had a husband.
She said this class was "semi SPC". First, students in the class had good academic ability next to students in SPC. Second, she had an experience of taking charge of SPC. Third, the classroom was located near SPC.
And she added we had a chance to promote to SPC in the next school year if we achieved high grades this school year. She said so because many students in the class couldn't enroll on SPC.
[Introducing myself]
A few days after I entered the high school, we students in the class introduced ourselves during homeroom. As I had selective mutism, I worried whether I could introduce myself smoothly. But I managed to do. After I finished introducing myself, my homeroom teacher said, "Tomishige once took part in the national
Shogi (Japanese Chess) Championships for junior high school. I hear Shogi players are clever. I hope you get good grade." I felt she fully expected me to get good grade. About 40 students introduced themselves, but she said such things only to me.
After homeroom, several female students came to me and said, "Tomishige, kawaii! (cute!)"
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Three courses
* * * * * * * * * *
I entered η high school.
η high school consisted of three courses. Career Course, Preparatory Course and Special Preparatory Course. CC incorporated vocational training into its curriculum. PC incorporated preparatory classes into its curriculum.
SPC also incorporated preparatory classes. But unlike PC, SPC aimed to help students to go to prestigious universities. Many freshmen wanted to enrol on SPC. But not all of their wishes came true. SPC recruited only about 160 students. On the other hand, students who wanted to enroll on the course exceeded 160 every year. School selected 160 students by the marks they obtained in entrance exam. So, only high-achieving students could enroll on SPC.
I wrote my will to study in SPC in documents I submitted to the school. But when I first went to school, I realized my class was PC, not SPC.
And I was surprised to see M. M was my former female classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me. Her class was SPC.
[First meeting of the class]
At the first meeting of the class, my homeroom teacher appeared in front of us and begun to talk about her and the class. According to her, she was a Japanese language teacher. Her age was 26. She had a husband.
She said this class was "semi SPC". First, students in the class had good academic ability next to students in SPC. Second, she had an experience of taking charge of SPC. Third, the classroom was located near SPC.
And she added we had a chance to promote to SPC in the next school year if we achieved high grades this school year. She said so because many students in the class couldn't enroll on SPC.
[Introducing myself]
A few days after I entered the high school, we students in the class introduced ourselves during homeroom. As I had selective mutism, I worried whether I could introduce myself smoothly. But I managed to do. After I finished introducing myself, my homeroom teacher said, "Tomishige once took part in the national
Shogi (Japanese Chess) Championships for junior high school. I hear Shogi players are clever. I hope you get good grade." I felt she fully expected me to get good grade. About 40 students introduced themselves, but she said such things only to me.
After homeroom, several female students came to me and said, "Tomishige, kawaii! (cute!)"
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Monday, May 12, 2008
New book about selective mutism (Japan)
A new Japanese book about selective mutism was published on March.
The title of the book is Bamen kanmoku Q&A -Youchien ya gakkou de oshaberi dekinai kodomo tachi- (What is Selective Mutism? -How to help children who can't talk in school-)
The author is Knet, a nonprofit organization of selective mutism established in 2007. The editor is Keiko Kakuta, a clinical psychotherapist and the leader of Knet (and an acquaintance of mine).
This book is based on information exchange on the Internet. It includes many colums written by parents. Of course, it also includes information I provided on my Japanese web site The Selective Mutism Journal.
This book is written for the general public rather than specialists. So, it's easy to read. I guess this book will become a standard reference for Japanese parents, teachers and professionals who are interested in selective mutism.
Index of SM in Japan
The title of the book is Bamen kanmoku Q&A -Youchien ya gakkou de oshaberi dekinai kodomo tachi- (What is Selective Mutism? -How to help children who can't talk in school-)
The author is Knet, a nonprofit organization of selective mutism established in 2007. The editor is Keiko Kakuta, a clinical psychotherapist and the leader of Knet (and an acquaintance of mine).
This book is based on information exchange on the Internet. It includes many colums written by parents. Of course, it also includes information I provided on my Japanese web site The Selective Mutism Journal.
This book is written for the general public rather than specialists. So, it's easy to read. I guess this book will become a standard reference for Japanese parents, teachers and professionals who are interested in selective mutism.
Index of SM in Japan
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Earning redemption
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
Earning redemption
* * * * * * * * * *
The first time I went to η private high school was when I attended tentative entrance ceremony.
We freshmen of η high school were supposed to attend the ceremony. Along with the ceremony, orientation session, school uniform sales, etc. are scheduled for.
η high school was a mammoth school, so I saw hundreds of freshmen in the school. Wandering in the school, I happened to meet my former classmates. They also failed the entrance exams for their first-choice high school. In my region most junior high school students' first choices were public high school rather than private high school. I attended the tentative entrance ceremony with them.
When I attended an orientation session, one teacher said to us, "Even if you failed entrance exams for public high schools, you can earn redemption in university entrance exams."
I was very impressed by what he said. I decided to study hard to go to prestigious university at the moment. Instead, I got the thought of overcoming selective mutism out of my head.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years
Earning redemption
* * * * * * * * * *
The first time I went to η private high school was when I attended tentative entrance ceremony.
We freshmen of η high school were supposed to attend the ceremony. Along with the ceremony, orientation session, school uniform sales, etc. are scheduled for.
η high school was a mammoth school, so I saw hundreds of freshmen in the school. Wandering in the school, I happened to meet my former classmates. They also failed the entrance exams for their first-choice high school. In my region most junior high school students' first choices were public high school rather than private high school. I attended the tentative entrance ceremony with them.
When I attended an orientation session, one teacher said to us, "Even if you failed entrance exams for public high schools, you can earn redemption in university entrance exams."
I was very impressed by what he said. I decided to study hard to go to prestigious university at the moment. Instead, I got the thought of overcoming selective mutism out of my head.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Picture book about selective mutism 2 (Japan)
Another picture book about selective mutism is Rika chan ga waratta (Rika laughed).
To put it more precisely, a photograph book. Kazuo Kashima, the author of the book and a former elementary school teacher, took a lot of photos of his class. This book includes many photos of Rika, a first-grade girl with selective mutism. This is a non-fiction book about Rika in his charge.
* * * * * * * * * *
In the story, Rika overcomes selective mutism.
But no professional intervenes in her. Her parents also don't help her.
She is helped by her classmates. Her classmates discuss how to reduce her anxiety and give her a helping hand.
* * * * * * * * * *
School is a place for learning. School children learn many subjects such as arithmetic, science, etc. But they also learn a lot through their daily activities, including how to care for a child with selective mutism. I thought that probably because this book is written by a former teacher, not a doctor or a counselor.
But I think it it better to see doctors or counselors rather than to make children think how to help a classmate with selective mutism. Even if teachers make children think, it needs to be based on teachers' understanding of selective mutism. Kashima was an experienced teacher at that time. I think he must understood selective mutism well.
Index of SM in Japan
To put it more precisely, a photograph book. Kazuo Kashima, the author of the book and a former elementary school teacher, took a lot of photos of his class. This book includes many photos of Rika, a first-grade girl with selective mutism. This is a non-fiction book about Rika in his charge.
* * * * * * * * * *
In the story, Rika overcomes selective mutism.
But no professional intervenes in her. Her parents also don't help her.
She is helped by her classmates. Her classmates discuss how to reduce her anxiety and give her a helping hand.
* * * * * * * * * *
School is a place for learning. School children learn many subjects such as arithmetic, science, etc. But they also learn a lot through their daily activities, including how to care for a child with selective mutism. I thought that probably because this book is written by a former teacher, not a doctor or a counselor.
But I think it it better to see doctors or counselors rather than to make children think how to help a classmate with selective mutism. Even if teachers make children think, it needs to be based on teachers' understanding of selective mutism. Kashima was an experienced teacher at that time. I think he must understood selective mutism well.
Index of SM in Japan
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Picture book about selective mutism 1(Japan)
There are many picture books about selective mutism written in English. For instance, My Friend Daniel Doesn't Talk, Understanding Katie a Day in the Life of Elisa Shipon Blum Co and Cat's Got Your Tongue?.
Also in Japan, there is at least two picture books about selective mutism.
One of them is Banzai! Nakayama Kun (Hurray! Nakayama). The author is Kyoko Ota. She has written many children's books including: Hito ha Kuma to Tomodachi ni Nareruka? (Can Human Being Become Friends with Bear?), Mama, Daidaidaisuki! (I Love My Mom very very very much!), etc. The illustrator of the picture book is Tadao Miyamoto.
The hero of the book is Nakayama, a first grade boy. He gets into an elementary school, but can't speak in school. One day, he becomes to be able to speak in an empty classroom. And finally, he utters words in front of his classmates in the classroom.
The word "selective mutism" is not found in the book. But the story must be the story of selective mutism. The process of overcoming selective mutism is similar to desensitization.
Unlike fiction, it's not necessarily easy to overcome selective mutism, but this story might give moral support to children with selective mutism.
Index of SM in Japan
Also in Japan, there is at least two picture books about selective mutism.
One of them is Banzai! Nakayama Kun (Hurray! Nakayama). The author is Kyoko Ota. She has written many children's books including: Hito ha Kuma to Tomodachi ni Nareruka? (Can Human Being Become Friends with Bear?), Mama, Daidaidaisuki! (I Love My Mom very very very much!), etc. The illustrator of the picture book is Tadao Miyamoto.
The hero of the book is Nakayama, a first grade boy. He gets into an elementary school, but can't speak in school. One day, he becomes to be able to speak in an empty classroom. And finally, he utters words in front of his classmates in the classroom.
The word "selective mutism" is not found in the book. But the story must be the story of selective mutism. The process of overcoming selective mutism is similar to desensitization.
Unlike fiction, it's not necessarily easy to overcome selective mutism, but this story might give moral support to children with selective mutism.
Index of SM in Japan
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Uchi benkei
Uchi benkei is a Japanese word that means people who are bossy at home but submissive outside. So, selective mutism may be an extreme form of uchi benkei (Many children with selective mutism are not so bossy at home, though).
Some Japanese people use a slang net benkei. Net benkei is people who are bossy on the Internet but submissive in the real world.
What is benkei ? Benkei is a warrior monk in 12th century. He served Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a leading general. He was a brave warrior, so people today use the word benkei as an analogy for bossy people.
Saito Musashibō Benkei (Wikipedia)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Wikipedia)
Index of SM in Japan
Some Japanese people use a slang net benkei. Net benkei is people who are bossy on the Internet but submissive in the real world.
What is benkei ? Benkei is a warrior monk in 12th century. He served Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a leading general. He was a brave warrior, so people today use the word benkei as an analogy for bossy people.
Saito Musashibō Benkei (Wikipedia)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Wikipedia)
Index of SM in Japan
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My graduation
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
My graduation
* * * * * * * * * *
[Entrance exam of ε public high school]
I already passed entrance exam of η private high school. But I wished to go to ε public high school rather than η private high school. So, I studied hard to pass the entrance exam of ε public high school.
Before the exam, my junior high school hold assemblies for students to explain what to prepare for exams. I joined an assembly of applicants for ε public high school. I was surprised to see that M was also joined the assembly. M was my former classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me. If she and I passed the entrance exam, we would go to the same high school.
The next day, entrance exams were held. The exams included a English listening comprehension test. After the exam, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
[Graduation ceremony]
A day after the exam, graduation ceremony was held. I graduated from junior high school. But to me, true graduation was when my future course was decided.
[Failed exam]
About a week ago, application results were announced at each public high school. I went to ε public high school to know whether I passed the exam. Examinee's numbers of successful candidates were presented on a bulletin board at the school. But my examinee's number was not listed. I failed the entrance exam.
When I stood in front of the bulletin board, a classmate of mine approached me. "Tomishige, you failed? Me, too." My face remained impassive, although I failed the entrance exam. As I have selective mutism, my face always impassive. But the classmate got angry when he looked at my face. "Aren't you frustrated, Tomishige? I'm so frustrated!"
[Leaving ceremony]
At the end of month leaving ceremony for teachers was held in my public junior high school. Attendance at the ceremony was optional. I attended the ceremony, because my homeroom teacher would leave the school. After the ceremony, I saw and greeted my teacher. She said to me, "I'm sorry you failed exam, Tomishige. I think you should be greedy." That was the last day I visited the junior high school.
* * * * * * * * * *
I graduated from junior high school. Although got to be able to smile slightly in school settings, I couldn't overcome selective mutism completely in this three years.
(To be continued to the next chapter)
Index of SM story
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
My graduation
* * * * * * * * * *
[Entrance exam of ε public high school]
I already passed entrance exam of η private high school. But I wished to go to ε public high school rather than η private high school. So, I studied hard to pass the entrance exam of ε public high school.
Before the exam, my junior high school hold assemblies for students to explain what to prepare for exams. I joined an assembly of applicants for ε public high school. I was surprised to see that M was also joined the assembly. M was my former classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me. If she and I passed the entrance exam, we would go to the same high school.
The next day, entrance exams were held. The exams included a English listening comprehension test. After the exam, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
[Graduation ceremony]
A day after the exam, graduation ceremony was held. I graduated from junior high school. But to me, true graduation was when my future course was decided.
[Failed exam]
About a week ago, application results were announced at each public high school. I went to ε public high school to know whether I passed the exam. Examinee's numbers of successful candidates were presented on a bulletin board at the school. But my examinee's number was not listed. I failed the entrance exam.
When I stood in front of the bulletin board, a classmate of mine approached me. "Tomishige, you failed? Me, too." My face remained impassive, although I failed the entrance exam. As I have selective mutism, my face always impassive. But the classmate got angry when he looked at my face. "Aren't you frustrated, Tomishige? I'm so frustrated!"
[Leaving ceremony]
At the end of month leaving ceremony for teachers was held in my public junior high school. Attendance at the ceremony was optional. I attended the ceremony, because my homeroom teacher would leave the school. After the ceremony, I saw and greeted my teacher. She said to me, "I'm sorry you failed exam, Tomishige. I think you should be greedy." That was the last day I visited the junior high school.
* * * * * * * * * *
I graduated from junior high school. Although got to be able to smile slightly in school settings, I couldn't overcome selective mutism completely in this three years.
(To be continued to the next chapter)
Index of SM story
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My first entrance exam
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
My first entrance exam
* * * * * * * * * *
I had a parent-teacher-student meeting around the middle of the school year. The purpose of the meeting was to decide which high schools I applied to.
Under the local regulations we junior high school students could apply to only one public high school and one private high school. Most students' first choice was public high school. They applied to public high schools just to be on the safe side. I was not an exception.
At the meeting, my mother and I told my homeroom teacher which schools we wanted to apply. We wanted to apply to ε public high school and ζ private high school. My homeroom teacher agreed to apply to ε public high school. But she recommended us to η private high school, not ζ private high school. It was easier to pass the entrance exam of η high school than ζ high school.
My mother said to the teacher, "I worry that η high school is failing school." "Many parents who experienced entrance exam long time ago have negative image of η high school. But recently η high school makes a strong effort to raise the academic achievement of students. η high school is not a failing school now."
In the end, we decided to apply to ε public high school and η private high school. My first choice was ε public high school.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two month before the end of the school year, many private high schools hold entrance exams. That was the first time for me to take an entrance exam. I was quite nervous about my first entrance exam.
Before we students took exams, we were allowed to look at exam stations in advance. But when I went to the exam station, I got lost. So, I visited to Koban(police box) to ask policemen the way to the exam station. It was tough for me to ask directions, because I had selective mutism. But I managed to ask a policeman. When I arrived at the exam station, most students had already looked at the station and gone to home.
After that, exam day came. I could go to the exam station and take exams smoothly.
A few days after, test results were announced. We heard our test results from our homeroom teacher after school.
All students went out into the corridor. Our homeroom teacher called students one by one to enter classroom and told him or her test results. When I waited for a while, our homeroom teacher called me. I entered classroom. There was nobody except her and me in the classroom. She told me that I passed the entrance exam. But I showed no expression. I had selective mutism. "Aren't you happy? I heard from your mother that you worried a lot about your test results." I nodded in silence. "Just as I thought. Good thing you passed the exam."
In this way, I passed the entrance exam of η private high school. But my study was not over. I must pass the entrance exam of ε public high school. My first choice was ε public high school.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
My first entrance exam
* * * * * * * * * *
I had a parent-teacher-student meeting around the middle of the school year. The purpose of the meeting was to decide which high schools I applied to.
Under the local regulations we junior high school students could apply to only one public high school and one private high school. Most students' first choice was public high school. They applied to public high schools just to be on the safe side. I was not an exception.
At the meeting, my mother and I told my homeroom teacher which schools we wanted to apply. We wanted to apply to ε public high school and ζ private high school. My homeroom teacher agreed to apply to ε public high school. But she recommended us to η private high school, not ζ private high school. It was easier to pass the entrance exam of η high school than ζ high school.
My mother said to the teacher, "I worry that η high school is failing school." "Many parents who experienced entrance exam long time ago have negative image of η high school. But recently η high school makes a strong effort to raise the academic achievement of students. η high school is not a failing school now."
In the end, we decided to apply to ε public high school and η private high school. My first choice was ε public high school.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two month before the end of the school year, many private high schools hold entrance exams. That was the first time for me to take an entrance exam. I was quite nervous about my first entrance exam.
Before we students took exams, we were allowed to look at exam stations in advance. But when I went to the exam station, I got lost. So, I visited to Koban(police box) to ask policemen the way to the exam station. It was tough for me to ask directions, because I had selective mutism. But I managed to ask a policeman. When I arrived at the exam station, most students had already looked at the station and gone to home.
After that, exam day came. I could go to the exam station and take exams smoothly.
A few days after, test results were announced. We heard our test results from our homeroom teacher after school.
All students went out into the corridor. Our homeroom teacher called students one by one to enter classroom and told him or her test results. When I waited for a while, our homeroom teacher called me. I entered classroom. There was nobody except her and me in the classroom. She told me that I passed the entrance exam. But I showed no expression. I had selective mutism. "Aren't you happy? I heard from your mother that you worried a lot about your test results." I nodded in silence. "Just as I thought. Good thing you passed the exam."
In this way, I passed the entrance exam of η private high school. But my study was not over. I must pass the entrance exam of ε public high school. My first choice was ε public high school.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Thursday, March 13, 2008
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SMMM use Cookies and web beacons in the course of website tracking. SMMM track information such as your remote host, country/language, HTTP user agent, HTTP Referer, display resolution, etc.
[About Google AdSense Cookie]
Third party vendors, including Google, use Cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to SMMM. You can see their party vendors on this page.
Google's use of the DoubleClick Cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on your visit to SMMM and/or other sites on the Internet.
Users may opt out of the use of the DoubleClick Cookie for interest-based advertising by visiting Ads Settings. (Alternatively, you can direct users to opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for interest based advertising by visiting aboutads.info.)
SMMM (Selective Mutism - My Memories) uses cookies and web beacons to collect data. The use of cookies and web beacons is an industry standard.
A Cookie is a small piece of information that web sites send to your computers temporarily and later retrieve. You can configure your web browser to reject Cookies. A web beacon is a small graphic image on a web page that tracks user's behavior.
SMMM use Cookies and web beacons for:
(1) Advertisement
SMMM use Cookies and web beacons in the course of advertisements (Google Adsense) being served on SMMM.
(2) Website Tracking
SMMM use Cookies and web beacons in the course of website tracking. SMMM track information such as your remote host, country/language, HTTP user agent, HTTP Referer, display resolution, etc.
[About Google AdSense Cookie]
Third party vendors, including Google, use Cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to SMMM. You can see their party vendors on this page.
Google's use of the DoubleClick Cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on your visit to SMMM and/or other sites on the Internet.
Users may opt out of the use of the DoubleClick Cookie for interest-based advertising by visiting Ads Settings. (Alternatively, you can direct users to opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for interest based advertising by visiting aboutads.info.)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Selectively mute child in a Japanese video game
I found a selectively mute child. But he is not a real person. He is a character in a Japanese video game.
His name is Marc Brown. He is a character of Policenauts, a Japanese adventure game released in 1994.
Policenauts (Wikipedia)
The word "mutism" appear on the official website of Policenauts.
I'm surprised to know that producers of the game knew such an unknown disorder.
But I think that the producers misunderstood about selective mutism. Traumatic incident don't usually cause selective mutism.
The director of Policenauts is Hideo Kojima, a famous game designer. He was listed on Newsweek magazine's "10 most influential people to shape the future" in 2001.
Although I played video game in my childhood, I don't know Policenauts. I played Nintendo Entertainment System in the '80s.
Index of SM in Japan
His name is Marc Brown. He is a character of Policenauts, a Japanese adventure game released in 1994.
Policenauts (Wikipedia)
The word "mutism" appear on the official website of Policenauts.
I'm surprised to know that producers of the game knew such an unknown disorder.
But I think that the producers misunderstood about selective mutism. Traumatic incident don't usually cause selective mutism.
The director of Policenauts is Hideo Kojima, a famous game designer. He was listed on Newsweek magazine's "10 most influential people to shape the future" in 2001.
Although I played video game in my childhood, I don't know Policenauts. I played Nintendo Entertainment System in the '80s.
Index of SM in Japan
Friday, February 08, 2008
Emotional disturbance
Many Japanese involving selective mutism view that selective mutism is an "emotional disturbance."
I guess that view derives from government's policy on special education. Director-General, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) notified "About school children and students with disabilities" in 2002. In the notification, children with selective mutism is an object of education of emotional disturbance children.
* * * * * * * * * *
Children who can benefit from special speech classes
1 Autistic Children, etc. who can mostly study in normal classes and partly need special guidance.
2 Children with selective mutism, etc. mainly due to psychogenic factors who can mostly study in normal classes and partly need special guidance.
(from "About school children and students with disabilities")
* * * * * * * * * *
The authorities included selective mutism in emotional disturbance at least 41 years ago (1967), as far as I know. In 1967 Education Ministry conducted "An investigation on school children and students' psychosomatic disorder" and defined emotional disturbance as school refusal, neurosis, selective mutism, autism, mental illness, organic brain disorder, etc.
Index of SM in Japan
I guess that view derives from government's policy on special education. Director-General, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) notified "About school children and students with disabilities" in 2002. In the notification, children with selective mutism is an object of education of emotional disturbance children.
* * * * * * * * * *
Children who can benefit from special speech classes
1 Autistic Children, etc. who can mostly study in normal classes and partly need special guidance.
2 Children with selective mutism, etc. mainly due to psychogenic factors who can mostly study in normal classes and partly need special guidance.
(from "About school children and students with disabilities")
* * * * * * * * * *
The authorities included selective mutism in emotional disturbance at least 41 years ago (1967), as far as I know. In 1967 Education Ministry conducted "An investigation on school children and students' psychosomatic disorder" and defined emotional disturbance as school refusal, neurosis, selective mutism, autism, mental illness, organic brain disorder, etc.
Index of SM in Japan
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Severe bullying
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Severe bullying
* * * * * * * * * *
The ninth grade was one of the most important period of school life. We needed to decide our future course. Most students wished to go to high school and studied hard to pass entrance exams. I also studied hard to go to high school.
At such an important period, I was bullied by some male classmates almost every day. Fortunately, some kind female classmates helped me. But that aroused jealousy of male bullies, and their bullying got severe. One teacher told me that bullies were irritated because they had to study hard every day.
My self-esteem was damaged. I felt that I didn't deserve of going to junior high school and studying with classmates.
In addition to that, I had a problem at home. That also bothered me.
My grades were falling. My distress from bullying and family problems may have caused my academic failure. But that's no excuse.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Severe bullying
* * * * * * * * * *
The ninth grade was one of the most important period of school life. We needed to decide our future course. Most students wished to go to high school and studied hard to pass entrance exams. I also studied hard to go to high school.
At such an important period, I was bullied by some male classmates almost every day. Fortunately, some kind female classmates helped me. But that aroused jealousy of male bullies, and their bullying got severe. One teacher told me that bullies were irritated because they had to study hard every day.
My self-esteem was damaged. I felt that I didn't deserve of going to junior high school and studying with classmates.
In addition to that, I had a problem at home. That also bothered me.
My grades were falling. My distress from bullying and family problems may have caused my academic failure. But that's no excuse.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Sunday, February 03, 2008
I got to know selective mutism through the Internet! (Japan)
I got to know selective mutism through the Internet in my early 20s. I was surprised to read diagnosis of DSM-IV first. My childhood odd behavior meets the criteria of selective mutism very well. Until then, I hadn't known why I couldn't speak in unfamiliar settings. I had thought that I was the only strange child in the world.
But I was not an exception. I've met a lot of former or current Japanese SM sufferers or their mothers who get to know selective mutism through the Internet many years after the children present symptoms of selective mutism first.
That suggests how selective mutism is not known also in Japan. When teachers finds selectively mute children in elementary school, they don't always realize the children suffer selective mutism. So, they don't always tell the children or their parents about selective mutism. Parents, and of course, their children also don't know selective mutism. After many years, they happen to get to know selective mutism through the Internet.
Index of SM in Japan
But I was not an exception. I've met a lot of former or current Japanese SM sufferers or their mothers who get to know selective mutism through the Internet many years after the children present symptoms of selective mutism first.
That suggests how selective mutism is not known also in Japan. When teachers finds selectively mute children in elementary school, they don't always realize the children suffer selective mutism. So, they don't always tell the children or their parents about selective mutism. Parents, and of course, their children also don't know selective mutism. After many years, they happen to get to know selective mutism through the Internet.
Index of SM in Japan
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Club (3)
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Club (3)
* * * * * * * * * *
As I mentioned earlier, I belonged to Igo and Shogi club. Igo is a strategic board game. Shogi is Japanese chess. But no club members played Igo. All members liked Shogi.
[Senpai, Kohai]
Senpai Kohai relationship is one of the most important element in club in Japan. Senpai is Kohai's upperclass student(s). Kohai is Senpai's underclass student(s). Kohai have to respect Senpai.
But some Kohai of mine didn't pay due repect to me.A Kohai of mine usually called me Tomishigekun. Kun is a Japanese title used towards one's juniors and contemporaries. Another Kohai sometimes insulted me and said, "I don't like Tomishigekun."
Indeed, in our club, members didn't traditionally stick to Senpai Kohai relationship very much. But even so, they were rudeness.
I guess that's because I was looked down on by them due to my mutism.
[Shogi Championships]
We took part in a team competition of Shogi Championships for junior high school in summer vacation. First, we challenged the local competition. But only two schools (including my school) participated in it. We won and advanced to the national competition. But we were beaten by natinal-class players.
When summer vacation ended and new school term began again, our club received a commendation from principal at all-school assembly. For some reason, I received the commendation as a representative of our club. My classmates and homeroom teacher were surprised to see that. "Tomishige took part in the national competition of Shogi!"
I was overestimated. We defeated only one team and advanced to the national competition. But I couldn't explain that. I had selective mutism. I was misunderstood.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
Chapter 4 Selective mutism and my junior high school years
Club (3)
* * * * * * * * * *
As I mentioned earlier, I belonged to Igo and Shogi club. Igo is a strategic board game. Shogi is Japanese chess. But no club members played Igo. All members liked Shogi.
[Senpai, Kohai]
Senpai Kohai relationship is one of the most important element in club in Japan. Senpai is Kohai's upperclass student(s). Kohai is Senpai's underclass student(s). Kohai have to respect Senpai.
But some Kohai of mine didn't pay due repect to me.A Kohai of mine usually called me Tomishigekun. Kun is a Japanese title used towards one's juniors and contemporaries. Another Kohai sometimes insulted me and said, "I don't like Tomishigekun."
Indeed, in our club, members didn't traditionally stick to Senpai Kohai relationship very much. But even so, they were rudeness.
I guess that's because I was looked down on by them due to my mutism.
[Shogi Championships]
We took part in a team competition of Shogi Championships for junior high school in summer vacation. First, we challenged the local competition. But only two schools (including my school) participated in it. We won and advanced to the national competition. But we were beaten by natinal-class players.
When summer vacation ended and new school term began again, our club received a commendation from principal at all-school assembly. For some reason, I received the commendation as a representative of our club. My classmates and homeroom teacher were surprised to see that. "Tomishige took part in the national competition of Shogi!"
I was overestimated. We defeated only one team and advanced to the national competition. But I couldn't explain that. I had selective mutism. I was misunderstood.
(To be continued)
Index of SM story
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