Dd1 is very very shy and has had problems talking outside the family, so much so that she receives one-to-one sessions with the learning support teacher once a week (has done so since about November).
It really seems to be working now. My mum helps out in the school and said that today dd1 was putting her hand up and answering questions, stood at the front of the class to play hangman on the board, and chatted freely with the other children.
Then this evening one of her schoolfriends rang her, and she chatted to her for about ten minutes, with no prompting needed (she has always needed help to use the phone up until now). After she finished her phone call, she said to me, "I like talking!" - oh, I could have cried, I felt so happy!
She is a very bright girl, works three years above her age level, but I feel more proud of her achievement in this area than anything else she has done - it has been hard work for her but now not only will she talk but likes doing it!!
happy mummy 