Is not being able to speak a vocal or phone tic?

Is not speaking or not able to speak a type of vocal tic or phone tic? Is it different from selective mutism?

(a question from Tourettes Action's Research Conference 'Understanding TS' 30 Nov 2010 - 5)

[Hidden]

Answer from the Speaker's panel:

''It may be part of an obsessive compulsive trait, in that perhaps the person would suddenly hear a voice saying - ‘Don’t speak’. It’s difficult to say if not being able to speak would be a type of tic though. If part of an obsessive compulsive act, it would be different from selective mutism.''

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ive spoken to Charlie and he doesnt have this particular Tic but he does have lots of compulsions, IE OCD.

[Nomad]

Dunno what selective mutism is but sounds like choosing not to speak for some reason

I'm very confident ion the phone and use it a lot when I am in work but would prefer not too as I make too many noises

Some people have a phobia about speaking on the phone

Many people have ansafone-phobia

And some people dread, in fact totally refuse to, speak on the phone because of their vocal tics especially those voice-operated devices where you constantly have to answer 'yes' or 'no' or give it instructions/information and if you cough or make any sort of noise it doesn't recognise you have to start all over again

[Rachowl in reply to Nomad]

My son has difficulty speaking quite often due to vocal/phonic tics interupting, or not being able to get past the word he is saying to get to the next one (which I was told is known as blocking?).

Not the same as not being able to speak at all but he finds it very frustrating at times and will say "oh forget it, it doesnt matter" and gives up.

[Heyitskorie]

I have selective mutism and Tourette's, they are unrelated but are both cause by the fact I have anxiety. I have also been diagnosed with OCD.

[Heyitskorie]

I have selective mutism and Tourette's, they are unrelated but are both cause by the fact I have anxiety. I have also been diagnosed with OCD.