The book shows how Selective Mutism has affected me, my choices and decisions through my life experiences. It shows a personal journey through life. It also shows my relationships with friends and family, home life and of course School life, which all have their roles in being influential in some way.



Preface of Book.............



This first publication tells the true and personal story of Life with Selective Mutism. The scope and depth goes beyond the basics of the condition, but more about how the condition affects all aspects of life. A thought or decision can be made with other emotions playing their part, such as the anxiety associated with Selective Mutism, which makes the simplest of choices complex.



The book is heartfelt at times, and uplifting at others; either way, it is written with honestly.



All facts true, from memories, diaries and conversations with family and friends......something for everyone, the Selective Mute and those who will get engrossed by the contents.



Chapters:



Introduction: What is Selective Mutism?

1. Why doesn’t your sister talk?: Selective Mutism and Me

2. Home Life

3. An Early Memory

4. My Mother

5. My Father

6. My Sister Amanda, Mum, Dad and Me

7. My Friend Tania

8. Starting Primary School

9. Settling in?

10. Child Psychiatrist

11. Further Primary Infants Experiences

12. Juniors

13. Middle School

14. Secondary School

15. First boy to really fall for

Summary



Extract from book:



Chapter 1



Why Doesn’t Your Sister Talk? Selective Mutism and Me



‘Why doesn’t your sister talk?’



I can hear these words being said just as if they were being said yesterday, the words uttered out of the mouth of my brother’s friends, or from other pupils at my primary school in other classes. ‘Why doesn’t your sister talk?’ is what Shaun tells me is what the other pupils are asking him. He is not telling me for my protection or support, but to be quarrelsome. I don’t understand why he wants to be like this with me. He is annoyed that others are asking him about me. I don’t think he has an answer for them, so he is coming onto me because he does not like the attention he is getting, and he feels it is all my doing. ‘Why can’t you be the same as everyone else?’ He disapproves of me so much, but I don’t have any answers for him, I cannot help him when he gets asked why his little sister is not the same as everyone else.