Is a child just shy, or is there something more going on? This is the pressing question. Should we be concerned and establish interventions to help the child, or simply give him encouragement and more time to mature? Misunderstanding shy behavior contributes to the lag between showing symptoms of selective mutism (SM) and actually receiving… Continue reading Extremely Shy – or Is It More? How to Identify Signs of Selective Mutism
Selective mutism (SM) is so much more than not speaking. People with selective mutism feel a great deal of anxiety that affects their ability to express themselves in many ways, not just verbally. Over 90% of people with selective mutsim also have social anxiety, which is defined as an intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated,… Continue reading Beyond Mute: Other Characteristics of Selective Mutism
Looking back on our journey thus far, I am amazed at the process we have gone through and how far we have come. There are a few things I know now, that I wish I would have known from the beginning. 1. There is no quick fix for selective mutism. It takes a lot of… Continue reading Ten Things I Wish I Would Have Known
Myth #1: Selective mutism is caused by trauma, mistreatment, or bad parenting. Selective mutsim (SM) is an anxiety disorder, but many people confuse it with traumatic mutism - a condition in which a person suddenly becomes mute in all settings after a traumatic experience. The rate of trauma in kids with selective mutism is the… Continue reading 5 Common Myths About Selective Mutism
Trying to understand the silence of a child with selective mutism can seem like a mystery, but it's even more challenging to know the best way to interact with them. The way you approach a child with selective mutism can have a great impact on whether or not they speak to you. Every child is… Continue reading How Should I Interact with a Child Who Has Selective Mutism? Tips and Tricks for Everyone
How do you get a child to talk who is literally frozen with fear, or who has been silent so long that they have become an expert mime? The answer may seem elusive, but it is not as complicated as you may think. Effective treatment lies in decreasing the child's anxiety and gradually exposing them… Continue reading Treating Selective Mutism – What Works?
Selective mutism is an anxiety-based social communication disorder. Children with selective mutism are quite capable of speaking in situations where they feel comfortable, like at home with family and perhaps with a few close friends. However, in other social settings their anxiety makes it difficult or impossible for them to speak, even if they really… Continue reading What is Selective Mutsim?
You just found out that your child has selective mutism (SM). What do you do now? It is so relieving, yet overwhelming to finally get a diagnosis. Now you have something tangible to work with. But, the looming question is, “Where should we begin?” I’m here to help you get started! There is a lot… Continue reading The Beginner’s Guide to Selective Mutsim
Brave Voices 