Selective mutism is a form of social anxiety. You’ve probably heard about the “fight or flight” response that people have in dangerous situations. But there’s actually one more response that’s possible: “freeze.” When someone has selective mutism, their brain perceives situations where they need to speak as dangerous. Although the person is often extremely articulate and has no speech delays, in certain situations, they physically can’t talk. These situations often include being at school, in public, or with extended family members.
It’s a topic that’s close to my heart. I was a shy child, so I wasn’t surprised when my own kids were on the quiet side. However, when my daughter was seven, we realized there was more going on. One day she stopped talking almost entirely. It wasn’t the result of a trauma…It just happened, and it was confusing and upsetting, especially for her, but also for some of our close friends and family members.
From making new friends to reading an eye chart at the optometrist, to ordering food at a restaurant or raising her hand in class, things most kids do without a second thought have been a huge challenge for my daughter.
But, like with any challenge, there are always opportunities hidden within. When you take away speech, other types of self-expression move to the forefront, and they can be surprising and beautiful. For my daughter, it began with visual art, then ventriloquism. (The puppet could talk for her—and that puppet was so sassy!) Then it was theater, where she could speak and even sing freely in the role of a character. And from there, she truly broke free.
For Shady, the main character in Quack, the journey back to speech begins with blackout poetry. By scribbling on bits of scrap paper and subtracting words, he works toward making his thoughts and wishes known. He also finds another unexpected solution in the form of a duck. Svenrietta becomes a support/service animal that helps him to move through the world with more confidence—and she soon creates a ripple effect on his friends and family as well.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect one in eight children, and I hope that this book won’t just help to build awareness for kids who have selective mutism (which is relatively rare) but for all kids who have differences and struggles related to anxiety. At the end of the day, it’s about taking one brave step at a time…and getting and giving a little help along the way.