Selective Mutism?

[tinachris]

Does anyone have any experience with Selective Mutism? I am a social worker and am beginning to work with a 10 year old boy that has this diagnosis. I've done some research, but I would love to know from anyone that has experience what I can do to try to reach this child.

Some more info...He has had this diagnosis since preschool. Was beginning to progress and would talk to family, his teacher and a few peers one on one, until this Christmas. Now he is not talking to anyone. He will do some nonverbal communication at home with family only (pointing, nodding yes or no) but that is it. No communication at all outside of the home. Does fine in school and the teachers report that socially he does well even though he doesn't speak. Most of the kids in his class have been with him since kindergarten (small rural school) and have simply accepted how he is (and even informs new kids that he doesn't talk).

Thanks for any info

 

[bookwormde]

If he has a typical anxiety profile and no other characteristics, then it is a really hard one to figure out.

bookwormde

 

[Piper]

I have a student with these characteristics. He doesn't talk to his family (except every once in a long while to his sister--never parents.) He didn't make eye contact, but he would perform whatever action I asked him to. While he was doing it, he would shake as though he were very afraid.

He is Vietnamese and quite overweight. His father refused to see a doctor to get help. He said the child was "just stubborn...we know he can talk because he talks to his sister a couple of times a month." He also commented that he is a "fat boy" -- just lazy and doesn't want to talk, just eat. I suspect that he is ridiculed at home--no proof though.

I make my class a very safe place and the children do not laugh or make fun of each other (not even when someone passes gas.0 We talk a lot about how making fun of others can "hurt their heart." I encourage the students to relate to the other students, to encourage them and celebrate accomplishments. When a child's name is drawn to be my helper for the day, the other students clap and cheer for the student. They also compliment the helper on doing a good job.

My student is now talking in class, he is singing our songs, he is interacting with the other students (just yesterday, I had to remind him to use a quiet voice in the class ) and has even raised his hand a couple of times to answer a question. It wasn't easy....but patience, love, and acceptance by everyone in our room have made a huge difference at school--he still isn't talking at home.

I am retiring in less than 2 weeks so I will not be able to follow this kiddo's progress....but he is in my prayers daily.

 

[brighteyes]

ITA, patience patience, caring and warmth.

There was a child like this in a social skills group I ran this year at a school. Two years ago, he was a selective mute, would talk with his family but not at school.

Very slowly he began talking with one of his teachers, and this year, his other teacher. Now he interacts with other students, and offers his ideas adn opinions.

If I wasn't told, I would never believe that this boy was a selective mute. He seems a bit developmentally challenged but has not been diagnosed as of yet.

 

[encinc]

You might take a look at the book: Helping Your Child with Selective Mutism: Practical Steps to Overcome a Fear of Speaking by Dr Angela McHolm. It provides a lovely overview of SM and how it is similar to and differs from other anxiety disorders, along with lots of practical strategies for helping kids with the diagnosis.

Individual therapy is not likely to be helpful without other interventions happening at the same time. It will be really important that the child's environment be set up so as to encourage him to communicate without him feeling pressured to do so.

 

[letfuller]

My daughter(10) was diagnosed with Selective Mutism 4 years ago. She was a chatterbox at home, but would not talk to grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. This made vacationing with extended family a bit stressful.

In addition, school became a struggle. Kelly would cry and cling to me when I had to drop her off. She spoke just enough function in the class, but it was a long year.

That following summer after kindergarten, we took Kelly to a speech therapist. She had some wonderful activities that slowly engaged Kelly to eye contact and whispers.

Initially, the comfort level must be established. There was never any pressure for Kelly to orally speak, initially. They would begin by pointing, move to eye contact and then whispers. The game that won my daughter over was Guess WHo. It is a game with different people (like battleship) and you have to ask questions to identify the individual selected at the beginning of the game.

As stated, 4 years later, Kelly is now speaking to most individuals. She still has issues in public, but is doing well.!

Selectivemutism.org was an amazing reference for me when researching this relatively unknown condition.

Good luck! There is a voice out there. Small steps and a safe environment without forcing the voice, will accomplish the goals of verbal communication!

 

[jrfernald]

SM is now being considered a social communication anxiety disorder. It's rooted in anxiety, but becomes a communication disorder in the sense the child is unable to communicate.

Someone else mentioned selectivemutism.org and it's a fabulous resource. Many states have a state coordinator who can direct you toward support/resources in your state. I am the past president of the organization and a speech language pathologist who specializes in working with kids with SM. Most importantly, I am the mom to a now 9 year old daughter who has mostly recovered from SM.

I strongly encourage a multi-disciplinary approach, including a speech and language evaluation (social pragmatics), an occupational therapy evaluation (sensory processing) and an evaluation conducted by a mental health treating practitioner (anxiety and other comorbid disorders).

You may want to consider attending the annual selective mutism conference in Chicago in July. Additional information can be found at selectivemutism.org.

Joleen