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I am a complete mute in public

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Battlegun
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23 Jun 2013, 12:16 am

I'm a 17 year old with an unusually high voice. Due to this, I am too afraid to speak to anyone in public. If they ask me what my name is, all I can do is sit there, seemingly speechless.

I have not even made any friends. Not a single online friend too. Only a few, if not a couple, of people outside my family has accepted me for who I am.

The weird part is that this all happened a few years back around 12 or thirteen. I recently looked up autism and aspergers and found that I am right on point with the main symptoms, such as little to no eye contact, having a ritualistic behavior (especially in eating and clothes), having strong dedication to a few things among other characteristics.

Thanks for reading, feedback is appreciated.



TheJaguarEmpress
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23 Jun 2013, 12:53 am

Find some alone time on a regular basis when you can scream until your throat is hurting. Over time it will lower your voice.



anneurysm
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23 Jun 2013, 12:55 am

There is a term for what you have: it's called selective mutism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_mutism

As well, the characteristics that you have described do sound much like AS. Have you considered getting a diagnosis? Having a diagnosis on paper could help you in a variety of ways, including explaining your challenges to others so that they will understand you better.


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Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.

This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.

My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.


LookTwice
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23 Jun 2013, 4:50 am

Have you been to a speech/voice therapist?


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What goes on inside is just too fast and huge and all interconnected for words to do more than barely sketch the outlines of at most one tiny little part of it at any given instant. - D.F.W.


Battlegun
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23 Jun 2013, 10:35 am

LookTwice wrote:
Have you been to a speech/voice therapist?


Yes, but it hasn't actually succeeded in lowering my voice or improving social skills.



Epsilon
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24 Jun 2013, 10:35 pm

I have a similar situation except my voice is unusually low. I sometimes try to improve my condition but I only manage to embarrass myself. I also feel as if people are not accepting...



sencha
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25 Jun 2013, 3:44 am

I am sorry about your situation but for years I have toyed with the idea of pretending to be mute as a way to withdraw a little further. I picture myself with a notepad and pen as a way to communicate with brief notes. Have also considered learning sign language.

As you haven't given up and want to socialise I hope you find a way.



FerrariFan
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28 Jun 2013, 11:21 am

My suggestion would be to find a local voice teacher - someone with musical training. There are exercises that you can do that will, over time, help you gain a better control over your vocal range.

Voice lessons are the way to go.



saimand
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30 Jun 2013, 6:04 pm

Selective mutism? Oh have had it, still mute in some situations, so if u want to talk to someone you can send PM... and regarding high pitch-- I wouldn't recommend to scream etc, since all you can get (besides lower pitch) are vocal nodules, which are painful... SLP or voice coatch for voice, for selective mutism see a psychologist and/or SLP...