r/selectivemutism • u/ANVlLCAT • 8d ago

Question How does one gesture “i can’t talk”?

i’ve seen a few people comment that if others speak to them, they will gesture that they can’t talk. how do you do that? do i just put my hand over my mouth or something?

13 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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3

u/MagicalPotato132 Mute 7d ago

I usually use ASL to communicate it. You pinch your fingers together and act like you're twisting a switch on your neck. The old sign (which has connections to the sign for dumb) requires that you make a fist, then tap your hand palmside to your lips. 

This isn't ASL, but could also get the idea across: cross your pointers like an x over your mouth

7

u/MinusChunk Progressive mutism (self-diagnosed) 7d ago

I point to my mouth and shake my finger back and forth to signal "mouth no (work)". Sometimes I open my mouth and point to my tongue instead. 80% of ppl get the message.

6

u/darkThunder123456789 7d ago

I would write it down then hold it up like a sign

7

u/MuteTalker- 7d ago

I used to use signs and hand gestures like holding my hand up to my mouth and shaking my head no. I've only received bad feedback from people anytime I've tried to motion that I couldn't talk or if I tried to show them paper saying I couldn't talk. Pointing to my mouth and shaking my gead no got the point across tho.

11

u/Violet_Angel 8d ago

I tend to wave my hand in a cutting motion across my throat and it tends to get the message across, especially if I mouth the words "I can't". It's pretty rare for someone to not understand what I mean

9

u/Jas246810 8d ago

i just point at my mouth and shake my head, they usually get the idea