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A five year old who developed a severe anxiety disorder which gave her a phobia of speaking to others is helping to raise awareness of the condition.

Until recently the only people five-year-old Effie spoke to were her mum, dad, brothers and sister.

She was diagnosed during lockdown with selective mutism - a severe anxiety disorder that prevents people from speaking in certain situations.

It is a condition which is on the rise.

The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of panic and talking is impossible.

Five year old Effie was diagnosed with selective mutism during lockdown

She was really chatty at home but family and friends were saying they'd never heard her talk or laugh and she was four years old. People were always trying to get her to speak and I could see Effie getting really upset and uncomfortable. You could see her tense up. Her hand would go in her mouth, her eyes would go down and she wouldn't look at anyone.

Tania Phillips, Effie's mother

Tania says her own mother, Effie's grandmother, had never heard her granddaughter speak.

The youngster's just one of an increasing number of children being diagnosed with selective mutism - a phobia of speaking to certain people.

Left untreated, selective mutism can lead to isolation, low self-esteem and social anxiety disorder . It can continue into adolescence and adulthood if not managed.

There were times when she needed a drink or the toilet and she was too scared to ask. That a child would rather have an accident than ask to go to the toilet- that's the fear she had of speaking to someone she wasn't comfortable with.

Tania Phillips, Effie's mother

Effie's making progress thanks to the support of her family and health professionals

Tania feels lucky she was listened to when she first had concerns.

The family had help from a health visitor and speech therapist and Effie's school has adapted to her needs.

Effie recently started saying a few words at school and has begun having conversations with her grandmother.

It's not that the person doesn't want to speak. They do want to speak but they're actually physically incapable of speaking when the fear response is triggered and I think that's what makes it really difficult for people to understand.

Anita McKiernan, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
What is Selective Mutism?

Selective mutism is a severe anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations, such as with classmates at school or to relatives they do not see very often.

It usually starts during childhood and, if left untreated, can persist into adulthood.

A child or adult with selective mutism does not refuse or choose not to speak at certain times, they're literally unable to speak.

The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of panic, like a bad case of stage fright, and talking is impossible.

In time, the person will learn to anticipate the situations that provoke this distressing reaction and do all they can to avoid them.

However, people with selective mutism are able to speak freely to certain people, such as close family and friends, when nobody else is around to trigger the freeze response.

Selective mutism affects about 1 in 140 young children. It's more common in girls and children who are learning a second language, such as those who've recently migrated from their country of birth.

Learn more about Selective Mutism:
Tania hopes sharing Effie's story will lead to a greater understanding of the condition and help those struggling in silence.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice can help you find professionals in your area with experience in treating Selective Mutism.

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Anna Youssef Reporter and Producer, ITV Granada

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Selective mutism - struggling in silence | ITV News

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Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that prevents people from speaking in certain social situations, | ITV News Granada

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How parents can help their child with SM

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How parents can help their child with SM

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My child won't speak - channel 4 documentary

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My child won't speak - channel 4 documentary

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How to use talking albums

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Can I tell you about Selective Mutism? By Alison Wintgens | Used & New | 9781849052894 | World of Books

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Buy Can I tell you about Selective Mutism?: A guide for friends, family and professionals By Alison Wintgens. New & used copies available with free delivery in the UK. ISBN: 9781849052894. ISBN-10: 1849052891

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Leslie Ironside (Author), Haia Ironside (Author), John Bigwood (Illustrator) & 0 more

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Colour Away Your Worries: A Calming Colouring and Drawing Book for Kids

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Buy Colour Away Your Worries: A Calming Colouring and Drawing Book for Kids by Ironside, Leslie, Ironside, Haia, Bigwood, John (ISBN: 9781780553092) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Checklist of possible maintaining factors

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Checklist of possible maintaining factors

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Informal techniques including Graded Questioning

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Informal techniques including Graded Questioning

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For anyone who needs to understand, assess or manage selective mutism, this is a comprehensive and practical manual that is grounded in behavioural psychology and anxiety management and draws on relevant research findings as well as the authors' extensive clinical experience. Now in its second edition and including new material for adolescents and adults, The Selective Mutism Resource Manual 2e provides:

· An up-to-date summary of literature and theory to deepen your understanding of selective mutism.

· A wealth of ideas on assessment and management in home, school and community settings so that its relevance extends far beyond clinical practice.

· A huge range of printable online handouts and other resources.

· Case studies and personal stories to illustrate symptoms and demonstrate the importance of tailored interventions.

This book is essential reading for people who have selective mutism as well as for the clinicians, therapists, educators, caseworkers and families who support them.

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The Selective Mutism Resource Manual: 2nd Edition (A Speechmark Practical Sourcebook)

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Buy The Selective Mutism Resource Manual: 2nd Edition (A Speechmark Practical Sourcebook) 2 by Johnson, Maggie, Wintgens, Alison (ISBN: 9781909301337) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Identifying maintaining factors in setting

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Identifying maintaining factors in setting

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Stages of 1:1 interaction/confident speaking

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Stages of 1:1 interaction/confident speaking

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Buy Little Boost Too Shy for Show and Tell Illustrated by Bracken, Beth (ISBN: 9781404874183) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Helping young children to speak in settings

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Helping young children to speak in settings

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No Worries! is an interactive self-care activity book for children aged 7+ to colour and doodle their way to happiness, calm and confidence. a thoughtful new range of activity books for children from Studio Press.

The encouraging and simple activities and exercises tackle anxiety, sadness and stress; children will enjoy using their creativity to combat negative feelings, work out why they feel worried and how to put stress back in its place through writing, colouring, doodling and drawing.

Includes an introduction and notes for grown-ups by consultant Dr. Sharie Coombes, Child & Family Psychotherapist. Dr Sharie Coombes is a former primary teacher, headteacher and local authority adviser who retrained as a child and family psychodynamic psychotherapist, neuropsychotherapist, solution-focused therapist, and specialist paediatric hypnotherapist. Sharie gained a doctorate in education from the University of Brighton in 2007 and is an expert in the therapeutic use of linguistic patterns. Alongside a busy private therapy practice in Brighton, she has worked part-time as a child, adolescent and family psychotherapist at the NHS Tavistock Clinic in London with adopted and fostered children, young people and families. She now works with the psychosocial team in the British Red Cross Refugee Support and International Family Tracing team. Sharie has 2 adult children.
Featuring the charming and quirky illustrations of Katie Abey, a UK-based illustrator. Her quirky pictures will keep the reader entertained and focused as they work through the book, or simply dip into the pages for ten minutes of calm colouring.

Part of Mindful Kids

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No Worries! Mindful Kids: An activity book for children who sometimes feel anxious or stressed

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Buy No Worries! Mindful Kids: An activity book for children who sometimes feel anxious or stressed by Murray, Lily, Abey, Katie, Coombes, Dr. Sharie (ISBN: 9781787410879) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Ensuring an anxiety free environment primary school

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Ensuring an anxiety free environment primary school

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Learning Resources Educational. Support for children to develop their speech, language and communication skills. Speaking and Listening activities for Schools and Day Nurseries. ADD, ADHS, ASD, AWM, DLD, MLD, PMLD, SALT, SLT, SEN, SENCO, SEND, SLCN, SLD, SPLD, Disorder, Therapy, Teaching, Difficulties, Disabilities

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Training courses on Selective Mutism in the UK. This page contains information on upcoming courses from a variety of providers. Training courses listed may not be organised by SMIRA, please contact the organiser direct for details. Listing here should not be taken as a recommendation by SMIRA.

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Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

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Selective mutism (SM) is used as a term to describe children and young people (CYP) who are able to talk comfortably to some people, such as family members and close friends, but are silent or unable to talk freely when other people are present. There is no guarantee that CYP who have SM will overco…

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Talks and Tips about Selective Mutism by Ruth Perednik

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Toyland® 9″ (23cm) Blue & Orange Colour Worry Monster Plush Soft Toy - Loves Eating Your Worries

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Toyland® 9″ (23cm) Blue & Orange Colour Worry Monster Plush Soft Toy - Loves Eating Your Worries : Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

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Help Me To Speak - Selective Mutism Part 1/4

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Rainbow Relaxation: Mindfulness for Children

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How to Print or Download Documents from the Padlet

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How to Print or Download Documents from the Padlet