selective mutism

[saladfingers]

I'm trying to find out as much as I can about this condition to support my DD(4) who has recently been diagnosed by CAMH.I have been pointed in the direction of SMIRA but was hoping that other MNetters could share their stories with me about what has made a positive difference to their children.I have heard that blurring the boundries between home and school might help and have started to invite friends my DD names home to play.Obviously I don't know if my DD actually has any friends or if these are children she just watches/shadows and they tolerate her silence.I would like to go into school and help her teacher but have concerns that DD might be too clingy.On the otherhand if she could talk to me in school then maybe that would pave the way?
I feel so completely helpless!
Can you share any experiences?
TIA

bump

you might like to have a look at Selective Mutism A Review of Etiology, Comorbidities, and Treatment which is included in this Selective Mutism collection of research papers

Hi Saladfingers, The one most important thing you can do is to buy and read the Selective Mutism Resource Manual. It may seem a bit expensive at around £40 but it is worth more than ten times that for the help and information you will find in it. My DD (10) has SM and I can't tell you how many times I've referred to that Manual.

BlessThisMess - can I ask which bits of the manual you recommend? DS2 (12) has SM and DH bought the manual around 6 months ago but I felt it was aimed at younger children and disregarded it searches frantically in bookcase.

Thanks for the tips. I will look at the research papers and buy the book.Has anyone's DC come out the other side and started to talk in school?

Saladfingers, my DD has just this term started talking in class, e.g. will now put up her hand to answer questions, talk during group time, etc. She told me last week that some people came to measure Y6 children, and they each had to go into a room on their own to be weighed, and she answered their questions! She's still silent everywhere else outside the house, but we've seen great signs of progress just this last 6 months, since she was 10. That's all down to the guidance from the Manual and a supportive school.

MrsIncredible, I'll have to dig my copy out and have a look. Everything's been going so well I've not looked at it for a while. But I'm sure there is stuff in there for older kids - it's more dependent on their stage of talking/not talking. Everything is adaptable I think.

BlessThisMess - thank you - any pointers would be appreciated.

Mrs Incredible, how much does your son communicate and who to? I would have thought Chapter 9 from page 127 would be helpful though the earlier information sets a good background and helps you to know how to talk to your son about the situation. Just skip the bits that refer to pre-school and clinic settings, and just look at the school setting. Is the school supportive and helpful? Are you a member of SMIRA?

It is quite an overwhelming Manual and I know I didn't use it when we first got it, which I now regret. It just seemed to take me so long to 'get my head round it' and I really felt I didn't understand what to do for such a long time, but honestly everything you need is in that Manual.