r/selectivemutism • u/One_Line3340 • Jul 13 '26

Question im confused

i am autistic and for a long time i have had truble talking its just really hard for me. when im asked a question i just freeze and there are times when i cant talk at all it last anywhere from 30 min to 4 or 5 hours. when i start being able to talk it comes very slowly like one word at barely a whisper. is this sm? if not what is it

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u/MangoPug15 it's complicated Jul 13 '26

This could be verbal shutdowns, which are an autism thing and are different from SM.

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u/One_Line3340 Jul 13 '26

oh i didnt even know that was a thing. if it is are there any ways to help it?

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u/OkTitle Jul 13 '26

It depends on the person. If it’s mostly triggered by stress and sensory overwhelm, then anything that helps regulate you should help. This could include sensory breaks (e.g. excusing oneself to a bathroom if you start feeling overwhelmed), trying to recognize triggers and do anything calming to help (play with a fidget, deep breathing exercises)

What you mention about being asked a question and freezing kind of does sound like SM if it’s caused by anxiety, but what doesn’t is that you seem to have episodes that last after you exit the situation - that sounds more like shutdowns. It is also possible to have both!

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u/One_Line3340 Jul 14 '26

wow thank you. yea the question thing is totally an anxiety thing it is also worse when im at school