Selective Mutism

[Tultuli]

My DD is 5yrs old. I am quite worried about her behaviour. She is a normal , lively and a bright child. She is quite chatty and talks normally at home and has made friends at school.

But she does not respond to any other adult other than parents. She does speak to her teacher but only if it is really required and in few words.
She does not say her name if asked, or hello or Bye to anybody who comes and talks to her. She becomes totally withdrawn and expressionless. Is this something that she needs professional help to overcome this barrier?

I have asked her why she doesn't talk to other people. She gets upset when asked and says "people will laugh at her". And says "I dont want to talk about it".

I am quite concerned with her social development. I have read articles in internet and found that this is also known as selective mutism.Can you please advise how we should we go about it, where can we get help? It would be great help.

Thanks so much in advance.

Mother in distress :-(

Ask MNHQ to move this to one of the SEN boards, more traffic for you there

thank you. can u pls let me know where should I email mnhq to move this? sorry couldnt figure out :-(

Don't worry. I've reported it so someone from MNHq will come and move it for you. They're nice like that :)

Yes, definitely investigate further. Talking freely a home but not with others is a classic sign of selective mutism.
I think children can respond very well to a very structured step by step programme of support. I don't know tho whether every local authority has enough knowledge or expertise to off
SMIRA is the UK organisation which
Could help.

Hello

We've moved this to Special Needs: Children now. Hope you get some good advice Tultull.

SMIRA - is the UK charity for parents/professionals/carers who have children with SM. They have a website and lively fb chat group with advice sheets and support.

Thankyou all for your suggestions/advises..it is really good to know that there is an organisation which can provide support. I will investigate and find out more on SMIRA.
Thankyou Mrs Joe for getting my post moved. really appreciate it :-)
I would definitely welcome more comments and posts on this in the coming days :-)

My DD has SM. She was referred to SALT at the age of 4 by her preschool, but was discharged at her first appointment because she wouldn't talk The school then referred DD to the Educational Psychologist, but we're still waiting for that appointment 4 years later!

DD now talks to all children at school and will talk to her teachers after a few weeks of sliding in sessions.

SMIRA was a great source of advice in the early days.

DD still will not talk to relatives that we don't see very often. She doesn't speak to anybody that she doesn't know. Healthcare appointments can be difficult.

The problem at school has largely resolved, enough so that I often forget she has a problem until we are out in the real world and she shuts down.

DD has set herself a target of speaking to her uncle next time she sees him. I won't pressure her and we'll see how she does.

It's been a long journey, but she is improving.

I worked in a SEN school in Islington with a girl similar to your daughter, I found sing language very useful at least until u establish a better relationship with a student and any physical movement was very opening for her dancing, yoga ...

My DS has SM. The best place to go for advice and support (in my opinion) is the very active SMIRA group on facebook.

In the meantime, buy a copy of the Selective Mutism Resource Manual and start reading about the small step 'sliding in' process. School may not perceive the problem if she is quiet and non-disruptive or may eve tell you she cannot have SM if she answers the teacher occasionally. DO NOT accept this. SM rarely sorts itself out and she DOES need intervention.

Good luck!