Does anyone have a statement for a child with Selective Mutism?

[IslandGirl43]

Hi, our DD aged 8 has selective mutism since starting school. As we have seen no real improvement and no structured help from the school we are thinking of applying ourselves for a statement of special educational needs. School have always said they would not request a statutory assessment as she is doing OK academically. I thought that statements also covered support for other areas of difficulty not just academic. Therefore a statement may help to ensure support with communication.

However I am actually unsure what could actually be part of a statement for a problem such as selective mutism. Does anyone here have an SM child and a statement? Would they be prepared to share with me some of the things that have been put into the statement?

Hi IslandGirl sorry, although we have a statement for DD2, it's for CP, so I' afraid I don't have any advice for you on this specific topic.

I would recommend that you post this in Special Needs:Children where there's lots more traffic and statements are frequently discussed in there too, so you're more likely to get some better advice and feedback.

Hi IslandGirl, I'm not a mum, I had selective mutism from when I started school until year 6. I can honestly tell you that I'm not surprised that the school haven't helped. I was repeatedly told to stop attention-seeking and that I was doing it on purpose to "be different". One teacher even told my Mum in front of everyone else that I was rude because I didn't say please and thank you despite the fact that I had never said anything.

I can't help with the statement but I can give advice. My year 6 teacher was extremely helpful and slowly encouraged me into talking rather than accusing me of attention seeking. She suggested that I whisper in front of adults so that I could at least say something. Eventually, she sent me to the other end of the field to answer the register so that I had to shout and that really helped me.

Even the NHS website calls it a "phobia of talking" which is ridiculous. All you can do is try to understand and stick up for her when people are frankly stupid.