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Understanding and Managing Selective Mutism

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The focus for teachers should be to lessen anxiety for the child and not to force speech.
- communicate to the child that you are there to support them
- do not force child to talk
- include in all activities
- enable small group activities
- allow child to participate in non-verbal responses (i.e. head nods or head shakes, answers on whiteboard)
- seat child on the sides of the classroom, not in the front and center of the classroom
- find an outgoing friend that the child might already feel comfortable with and provide opportunities for interaction

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Besides refusal to talk, some but not all children may exhibit these symptoms:
- withdrawal
- excessive shyness
- clinging
- compulsive traits
- oppositional behaviors
- tempter tantrums
- negativity
- blank expressions

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The child must exhibit symptoms for longer than one month in order to be diagnosed with selective mutism.

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Selective mutism is defined as an anxiety disorder in which a child's social-emotional development is limited because the child does not feel comfortable speaking in social situations where it is expected, like at school or birthday parties, but might not show symptoms at home.

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> Websites

The Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment center website provides a great article that goes in-depth about the understanding of selective autism and how it is commonly misunderstood because it is a fairly rare disorder.

http://www.selectivemutismcenter.org/Media_Library/What_is_Selective_Mutism_2014.pdf

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides the description of the disorder, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, three examples of behavioral treatments available, and links to organizations with more extensive information.

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/SelectiveMutism/

> For parents:

List of 20 tips for parents of children with selective mutism, specifically treatment options.

http://www.selectivemutism.org/resources/new-member-packet/20_Tips_for_Parents_of_Children_with_Selective_Mutism.pdf
The following website provides a deeper understanding as to why your child might be talkative at home but not in new social situations.
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/dos-and-donts-for-parents-of-children-with-selective-mutism-1103155

> For teachers:

The following article provides information to teachers on how critical it is for teachers to work as a team with the child's family and psychologist to best fit the needs of the child.

http://www.selectivemutismcenter.org/Media_Library/What_is_Selective_Mutism_2014.pdf

This article provides strategies for teachers who have children struggling with selective mutism in their classroom.

http://www.selectivemutism.org/resources/library/School%20Issues/Classroom%20Strategies%20for%20Teachers%20of%20SM%20Children.pdf

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My daughter Marissa was just recently diagnosed with selective mutism. She is 5 years old and is in kindergarten. Marissa's teacher expressed concern about Marissa because she consistently did not speak at school. However, Marissa does not demonstrate mutism at home.