My niece is a selective mute. She is perfectly capable of speech, except in situations where she is anxious, nervous or intimidated. It is not a choice. She physically looses the ability to speak under stress. She didn't speak in school until this year. She had a friend that she would whisper to and the friend would pass on what Naomi wanted to say. She always talked to people she was comfortable with and developed speech skills on schedule as a toddler. She is extremely intelligent, with a quick mind that is light years ahead of her peers. She reads and writes at a high school level.
She is almost 12 now and is "outgrowing" the condition. Her doctor told us that if she didn't start to speak on her own by puberty, she would require anti-anxiety medication. Naomi will likely always be shy and reserved in new or social settings. She doesn't like large groups, even of people she knows. She is delightful in a one on one setting. Her shyness hides a sharp wit, gift for storytelling and an engaging personality.
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