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Selective Mutism - anyone else experienced with their child?

3 replies

sazzler197 · 27/01/2013 21:00

My little girl is 5 and is such a chatty little girl at home, infact she does not stop talking, at school though she is like a different child and will not speak to her teacher's when she is spoken to! She will speak with her friends ok but not her teacher's, it has gone on that long that they want us to meet up with an educational physcologist! Just wondering if anyone else's lo's have been like this and if there are any success stories, my lo has been like this now for 2 years, she loves going to school though so it is not like she does not like it and she says she likes her teacher!

Thanks

OP posts:
KatieLily12 · 27/01/2013 21:05

I don't have a child with selective mutism but do have success stories as I worked with two gorgeous children who were reluctant speakers at school.

We did gradual exposure and things like parties for school friends so they knew they could chat! It doesn't last forever I promise!

MariusEarlobe · 27/01/2013 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

badtemperedaldbitch · 27/01/2013 21:33

My dd had a huge vocabulary but didn't speak to grownups. EVER. Even when we were stood right there. She was always happy to be invisible. Yet she was very popular and got invited to lots of parties. She would go, but could never be left, we always had to stay with her.

I was always ofthd thought that I didn't want her to. Each stressed worrying about what she had to say etc so I always stayed with her.

On occasions I would introduced her to someone new by saying ' this is mummy's friend - who is lovey and you can speak to her if you want. '

There were other occasions where we went out and I explained where we were going and who we would be seeing and Wetherby she was expected go speak or not. Ie. I want to go say hello and goodbye, but you don't have to chat unless you want to.

At home she would always chatter away and sing. So I knew there was nothing wrong with her thought or physical processes.she had a huge vocabulary so I knew she was 'getting' language, even ifshe wasn't sharing.

We decided not to use the referral we were offered because I thought......she's tiny, does she really NEED to speak to anyone? She always communicated just fine. Long and short I didn't want another person in her face when I knew that would stress her out. The other thing is that she is just like her dad...stubborn! And was worried about making the situation worse.

So now she is 9. She is still popular, and still rarely talks to adults. She will smile and say hello then puts her head down. Occasionally she takes to someone and it's lovely. I just figure that she will grow into herself and luckily that seems to be happening.

Pm me if you want specific strategies x

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