'Why She Likes to Whisper'

Select Mutism is a severe anxiety disorder common in young children of school age. The disorder can be likened to a phobia of talking. Children affected by Select Mutism will only feel comfortable speaking around close family and friends, and may remain silent when spoken to by someone they are not comfortable talking to. This disorder is something that I went through up until the age of 8. I refused to use my voice around people I didn’t know very well, and at school I couldn’t communicate with my teachers. I have created an illustrated children’s book titled ‘Why She Likes to Whisper’ as homage to my past self. The book discusses the life of a character suffering from Select Mutism which may hopefully act as a way of helping affected children out there, like I once was, feel less alone and feel more represented.