I answered yes yesterday but didn't explain. I never started speaking until I was four. Even though I only spoke to certain people for a time (I don't know how long though, wasn't told that.) I could speak, I just chose not to. Since then, I go through stages of speaking. I have a "short-circuit" that hits and whats in my brain will not go to my mouth. My muteness is a choice only part of the time. If I'm stressed or feeling unsafe I will chose not to speak or just speak in short bursts. However, if this "short-circuit" hits, I have no choice in not speaking. If I try to, my words will come out slurred, backwards, and sometimes as complete gibberish to the point I won't know if I just spoke English or not. It's very frustrating. I do not use notes. I do not use hand signals. I just don't talk because I can't. I usually leave where ever I'm at about then.

You'd be amazed how long you can go without speaking and no one notices! ;)

bec