My mom has also spoken for me my whole life. When I am asked a question she jumps in and answers it for me. She still does it. So I wonder if that is part of my issue. I also didn’t start talking until I was 4 and then after I started talking I was really shy and I’d often ignore teachers and my aunts and uncles but I’d be comfortable around my mom, dad, sister, and brother and a few friends and my some of my cousins. I’d often be quite silly and goofy and energetic around safe people. Now I just ignore everyone except my mom and whatever therapist I’m working with at the time. Even my brother who lives with me I don’t talk to. If someone asks me something I’m ok answering. But I can’t hold up a conversation at all in real life. I often wonder if there’s something neurologically wrong with me since it’s gotten so much worse. I think the only things I said to family at our vacation was “good.” And “I’m fine” I did talk to the 3 and 5 year old a bit when no one was around and they were asking me stuff. I also asked my aunt where the water was. People think I come off as being rude when I am often physically (at least it feels that way) unable to talk.