Selective mutism??? Can anyone give me any strategies to help and understand..?

Question

... a child I have encountered in my line of work who can speak but doesn't? She is occasionally responsive through eye contact or gesture and she sometimes smiles but she never makes a sound.

Thanks betsy.
I have had a look prior to posting this q but wondered if anyone had first hand experience.

trobop I'm not saying she has a problem but I can't do my job properly if she can't talk to me.

Answer 1

All you can do is try to spend more time with her. When she trusts you she may surprise you.

Answer 2

I would begin by being informed. Read the Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_mutism

I know that many people with this disorder find other ways of communication.

-Older children can write. Preschoolers can draw. They mightn't feel like doing it in front of you, so leave the room if you have no reason you are endangering the child or the room.

-They can nod or shake their head.

-Most of these children are capable of talking to some of their family members. Some even trust a person outside home. If you need to speak with the child, perhaps the parent could do the talking. Whether you'll be present should depend on the serioussness of the condition.

Answer 3

Selective mutism is characterized by a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking. Children with selective mutism have the ability to both speak and understand language, but fail to use this ability as a result of what we would consider to be social anxiety in adults. Most children with selective mutism function normally in other areas of their lives.

Selective mutism is not a communications disorder and is not part of a developmental disorder. By definition, selective mutism does not include children with conduct disorders, oppositional/defiant behavior, and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The principal problem in children with selective mutism appears to be anxiety. This anxiety (which causes avoidance) seems closest to the definition of social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Indeed, most adults with social anxiety disorder relate strongly and can fully understand selective mutism, even though they themselves were not necessarily children with selective mutism.

It also appears that cognitive-behavioral therapy, with the emphasis being on the behavioral component (depending on the age of the child) is the therapy of choice.

Answer 4

Selective mutism is fine. i do it all the time . since i was 4 years old to now that i'm 27. If i don't feel like talking, what's the problem? Communication is not just talking with your mouth. communication is signs and gestures too

Answer 5

Work with the child with things that will excite her or make her happy. A question when sleeping or napping does she make any sounds? If so she is selective in vocalizing, try to find out if she does that or has ever been injured and made sounds, it will give you clues.

Answer 6

Some children (Not very common) do talk to only there family members- it is strange but I guess it does come down to a Psycological problem that may tick off in there brain where they no longer feel comfortable expressing themselves by speaking....

Answer 7

I don't know, but maybe if you had the child work with a pet they might be less afraid to talk to the animal than a human? Fear of judgment.
Then you could get involved "indirectly".

Answer 8

Rain man junior.

Answer 9

She just might have desided itwas not worthtalking to others.

Answer 10

It all depends on your personal preference.