Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that prevents a person from speaking in certain social situations despite being able to talk in comfortable surroundings. "He cannot speak because he has selective mutism, but he very much wants to communicate," he said. It was the first time he had spoken before a large group since being diagnosed with selective mutism. The experience gave Ito the confidence to take on an even greater challenge after his final summer in high school. Ito agreed to tell his story because he wanted more people to understand selective mutism.