Some of you may know my daughter (the really quiet girl who even struggles to answer the school register) and some of you may have grown up with me (the really quiet girl who struggled to even answer the school register). My daughter, and I suspect my younger self, has a social communication anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism (SM). Despite its name there is nothing selective about SM and it is more than being mute in a lot of situations. Behind the frozen body position, averted gaze and lack of verbal response is a fear, like a phobia, and a child who wants to say something but in that moment in time feels they simply can’t. We’re now going through the journey of trying to get her support in school to help her regulate her feelings and find the level of comfort she needs to develop the confidence to communicate. Half the struggle is lack of awareness; it certainly wasn’t there when I was a child and as a parent, I want my own child to have more help finding her voice.

So when I saw a little girl on a Speech and Language UK video speaking about her SM it got my attention and I fully support any organisation that recognises SM (along with other speech and communication conditions) and that wants to do something to raise awareness, educate and get affected individuals the support and help they need.

A bit more about Speech and Language UK:

“At least  2 million children in the UK are struggling to talk / understand words.  Speech and Language UK gives children and young people the skills they need so they aren't left behind. Speech and Language UK do this by creating tools for schools and nurseries, giving advice and guidance to families and putting pressure on politicians. With your support today, you can help children get help when they need it most, and look forward to a better future.”

I am going to run the 2026 Brighton Marathon to raise money for Speech and Language UK both to support the organisation and all its hard work and as a thank you to them for “hearing” children like my daughter (and my younger self).