Thanks again guys I thinkhe was actually shocked, he took her out for a walk and when he came back, told me he couldn't stop thinking about it and felt very upset about it, as what he had read sunk in.

I hope that this is all rectified by the time she is in primary school, which is not next year but the year after (so glad I held her back - due to shyness LOL) but I know what you mean Jill and funnily enough people have told me from infancy that she will grow out of it and it's a phase!! So I know they are wrong already because it's been 4 years.

I have tried every sort of class to try and get her more socialised, she did Gymbaroo from a young age and ballet twice, music lessons etc but wont talk to anyone or follow instructions. It was as if she would freeze and not know what to do - which is a symptom. It's not that they are not intelligent but in a state of anxiety and fear. She does immerse herself in arty and intellectual sort of things, which I guess is a result of the mutism, but the scariest thing is that I remember feeling all this stuff - they say it's inherited - well I always put it down to moving schools every single year as a child, but I would never do much with the kids and teachers would always ring mum. I never had friends I could attach to and was the intellectual one in the family too - I am the only one who even completed highschool!!! But so much is making more sense now - I only wish I knew sooner.

All I can do at home is not make speaking a big deal, or expect her to answer anyone (as I would get anxious with alot!) and not 'wait' for her in anticipation to talk around others - which just makes her anxiety worse. So hopefully it will get better soon!

Thanks for all your support guys, BellyBelly members rock