Tom was a quiet child at school. Although he was very bright and talkative at home, he seldom spoke in class and did not respond to adults when they addressed him. He learned to read on his own and accomplished all of the non-verbal activities at school with ease.
During his health check before entering the first grade, Tom’s hearing and vision were tested. Throughout the hearing test, he was non-responsive and took the headset off. He looked at the parts that covered his ears. His mother asked, “what are you doing?” He replied softly in front of the nurse, “I want to see where the sound comes from.” He would not answer the nurse's questions.
Tom was “examined” in various ways and was labeled “extremely gifted”. Parents of gifted kids are well aware of the ups and downs, the concerns and challenges these children face in a society that likes conformity. Tom’s siblings fit in better and were well liked by the teachers. He always followed his brother around as he had a hard time making friends of his own. The only kid that he would speak with at school, other than his siblings, was strange boy named Lou. Lou was kind and patient with Tom.
He was later matched with a child psychologist who played non-verbal games with him and Tom enjoyed their sessions together. When he saw his mother in the waiting room, he’d run up to her and tell her what they did. The psychologist was the one who became speechless.
The weeks passed, Tom slowly opened up to her and finally spoke. From then on, his selective mutism was no longer a problem. He just spoke when he wanted to, to whom he chose to speak with. He has since become a man of many words.
— MCW
During his health check before entering the first grade, Tom’s hearing and vision were tested. Throughout the hearing test, he was non-responsive and took the headset off. He looked at the parts that covered his ears. His mother asked, “what are you doing?” He replied softly in front of the nurse, “I want to see where the sound comes from.” He would not answer the nurse's questions.
Tom was “examined” in various ways and was labeled “extremely gifted”. Parents of gifted kids are well aware of the ups and downs, the concerns and challenges these children face in a society that likes conformity. Tom’s siblings fit in better and were well liked by the teachers. He always followed his brother around as he had a hard time making friends of his own. The only kid that he would speak with at school, other than his siblings, was strange boy named Lou. Lou was kind and patient with Tom.
He was later matched with a child psychologist who played non-verbal games with him and Tom enjoyed their sessions together. When he saw his mother in the waiting room, he’d run up to her and tell her what they did. The psychologist was the one who became speechless.
The weeks passed, Tom slowly opened up to her and finally spoke. From then on, his selective mutism was no longer a problem. He just spoke when he wanted to, to whom he chose to speak with. He has since become a man of many words.
— MCW
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