Seems ds3 may get a Selective Mutism dx

[QueenEvil]

It's been thought for some time that's what he has, mostly because I have suggested it to the speech therapists and Early Years Team. Despite this I have constantly been told that he will be very unlikely to get a statement for when he starts p/t school next Easter.

Had a call today - the Child Development Centre have been reading up on it since his p/g requested they come to observe him. They are suggesting that's what it is without actually committing themselves. They will liaise with the Head of Psychology to see how we proceed from here.

Does anyone have experience of this? What does a meeting with the Psych Dept involve. Although I am pleased that we may be getting somewhere at last, it's also a bit nerve-wracking.

Oh, apparently SALT cannot help him if he is dx'd with Selective Mutism. Bit miffed about that as much of his speech is unintelligible.

Aww please don't let this drop off active convos without anyone replying.....

No-one?

QueenEvil, sorry, no experience of dx procedure for SM, but bumping in the hope that someone can advise soon.

Anyone had a meet with a Psych and can tell me what to expect?

two of my dds had /have this ,,dd2 started talking at school when she was 8 and dd3 was 8 too,wish you loads of luck i know how frustrating it is xx

Thanks for that, guys.

Very frustrating that there are so few people I can talk to re this problem. Makes me feel very isolated.

Hi Queenevil-have just seen this.

My DS is 5 and has a speech delay and selective mutism.
He has been seeing a SALT for about a year now and because of his SM it was difficult to assess him.
The SALT came to our home for a visit and DS did talk to her there.Our SALT is continuing to see DS so can't understand why your ds's SALT can't help him if he has SM.I would question that.

as for the psych team I got a call from there this week about arranging a visit with me initially and then with ds.
I like you don't know what to expect so can't help much on that front.
But I may be able to share my experiences with you on selective mutism if you would like.
I have to go and pick up ds soon but will check back to this thread later on tonight.

How old is your ds?

Hi tiptoes - thanks, you have been helpful on my other threads re SM. ds3 is 3.9 now and been seeing a SALT for 18 months on and off.

His speech is delayed but probably not disordered but like your ds it's hard to actually assess his speech when he won't speak to the SALT! A senior SALT has been to the house for about 6 sessions six months ago and heard some limited speech (which I had to interpret for her) and she has done an initial assessment report on him.

He is not delayed in any other area so does not strictly fit the statementing criteria even though p/g and his regular SALT recommend one for him starting school next April.

Has your ds been statemented?

I've been reading some websites and ds fits every trait for SM. His personality is also very oppositional and stubborn which of course doesn't help with the speech thing either. Strong hereditary link with ds too, as dh didn't speak until he was well over 5, according to fil.

SALT are saying it isn't a speech thing so they may not be the best service to help him, hence their meeting with the psych to see how we proceed now.

Hi,just realised your name change

Our SALT recommended we tape ds on a camcorder whilst he was playing and then she could view it sometime and assess his speech that way.

It was DS'S school who recommend we get a statement for ds and we are still thinkng about it.

Like your ds mine is very stubborn and also gets upset very easily over the slightest of things.
He tends to be a perfectionist as well and will have to start things over if it does'nt go the way he wants it to.
Just lately he is shouting a lot especially at his little sister who is 3 if she does'nt do what he wants.
I know it is very difficult for him to get heard as even i sometimes don'nt always understand what he is saying.
It is very difficult sometimes and I get upset at the constant shouting and arguing that my 2 always seem to be doing.
not sure if this is traits of the SM or just a normal 5 year old.

Will let you now when we se the ed psych.On the phone she said it would be a case of getting some background from myself and then playing games with ds and getting to know him.

Let me know how you get on.

I thought my namechange was quite subtle - obviously too subtle lol!!

yes it will be interesting to see how our respective meetings go, I will keep you updated. Would like to know how you get on as well.

Your ds sounds very like mine - you have described him perfectly. Shouting at his younger brother over the silliest things. Gets upset over silly things. If things are going to change I have to forward plan as he hates change to familiar things. Stubbornness like you wouldn't believe! He even refuses to go to the toilet as he doesn't want to get a star when this had previously worked really well. Doesn't want to get dressed etc. All my other kids have always been so eager to please at that age - ds3 seems to enjoy being as oppositional as possible.

Brilllinat idea about videoing him in full voice - i will dig out the camcorder and take it along with me to his next salt session.