Looking for some advice on how to portray these sorts of things without coming off as overbearing or like I'm seeking pity for my characters. I general, to any people here who [i]do[/i] have disabilities of any kind I would love to know about any things I should know about portraying your specific needs or perhaps things I should avoid doing. This goes double if you see it often.

The character I'm trying to portray is someone with selective mutism, but has been thrust into a situation without any of their usual support group. I imagine they might manage to open up to a few people in small burst when alone.

Advice on playing a character that does not speak in general would also help me here, but I figured I might broaden this conversation for a better dialogue and to perhaps learn something as I go.