Selective Mutism by https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3 Resources and Strategies en-us 2016-10-18 00:51:12 UTC 2025-10-05 09:34:31 UTC hello@padlet.com Meet Marissa jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336207 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. ]]> 2016-10-18 00:54:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336207 Resources jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336245 > 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
]]> 2016-10-18 00:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336245 What is selective mutism jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336398 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. ]]> 2016-10-18 00:55:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131336398 jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131341264 2016-10-18 01:14:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131341264 jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131341640 2016-10-18 01:18:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131341640 Diagnosis jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345047 The child must exhibit symptoms for longer than one month in order to be diagnosed with selective mutism. ]]> 2016-10-18 01:44:35 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345047 Characteristics jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345440 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]]> 2016-10-18 01:47:55 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345440 Strategies for Teachers jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345735 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]]> 2016-10-18 01:50:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131345735 jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131346059 2016-10-18 01:53:43 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131346059 jvivar https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131349167 2016-10-18 02:22:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jvivar/xxhz3kt4yji3/wish/131349167