Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder in which someone who is capable of speaking cannot speak in certain social situations or to certain people. Usually we will only talk to close family and maybe a close friend or two, but SM is a little different for everyone. We find it really difficult to speak to others, so if talked to, we'll either find a non-verbal way of communicating, or we'll get so nervous we will stay still and frozen. It's often mistaken as shyness, rudeness, stubbornness, and many other misunderstandings. But what many don't know is that it's a real disorder and we never made the choice of not talking. We don't talk because we have so much anxiety that we tense up to a point where we can't utter a single word. When your experiencing extreme anxiety like us, the mussels surrounding your vocal cords tense up. Therefore, it feels like our body won't talk. This is what we experience when we have extreme anxiety. Not many people get to see "the real us" except for a select few. Being us is like living a double life. At home, you get the privilege of being your happy, loud, joyful, carefree self. But when your at school or in public, you become a whole different person. You are now a silent, stiff, nervous, anxious person who doesn't speak a single word. It's not an easy thing to live with. We really want to talk and live a "normal" life like you, but our anxiety is constantly holding us back. On the good side, we have above high intelligence and are good listeners. We know right from wrong and unfair from justice. We are kind, loving, smart, and can feel others sympathy. Even though we have good qualities, SM is still not a fun disorder to have. This petition was created to raise more awareness in schools across America to better accommodate children with Selective Mutism. And to also spread more SM awareness and create a better understanding of the disorder among schools. I hear stories all the time of people who feel that their school district is not doing enough to provide the best learning environment for them or their child. I believe all schools should be open and understanding of children with SM. Just because we have a disorder and might not talk to everyone doesn't mean that we aren't like everyone else. SM should have just as much awareness and attention as other disorders. I have had so many years of no understandment from teachers, staff, and students and I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I did. If a teacher has a student with SM, training should be mandatory. Training should also be mandatory for all other teachers and staff that come in contact with the child often. Teachers play a major role in the child's recovery because kids are in school most of their day. Even if a teacher doesn't have a student with SM, training would still be usefull incase they do come across a student that has SM. That way they would know how to handle the situation. Overall, we need MAJOR change in the schools of the selectively mute. Please sign this petition if you believe that schools need to do the following to provide a better learning environment for these children:  •Teachers MUST have MANDATORY TRAINING in SM  •If there are any other teachers and staff that come in contact with the child often, training would be a good idea •Teachers and staff cannot force or pressure the child to speak •Instead of doing reports and projects orally, other options such as a video presentation or tape recording should be available •Teachers cannot show the child's project recording or video to anyone without the child's permission  These are just a few changes I've come up with based on my past experiences.  Thank you for taking interest in my petition! Please support all the SM suffers by signing this petition to create more awareness in schools. Feel free to share this with friends and family, we can't do this without your help! Thanks! :) 

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