Anyone have a child with Selective Mutism?

I specialized in Selective Mutism in Collage. I majored in Spec Ed Emotionally handicapped.

The main thing that was really forced into my brain was not to force the child to speak. If and when they are ready they will learn to trust you. I took four years of sign language during collage and continued after to improve my skills. I learned that a child who refuses to speak verbally will sometimes communicate in other ways. Learning ASL gave me an avenue to teach an alternative form of communication (this also came in very handy when five years ago I gave birth to a deaf child).

A good therapist can sometimes discover why the child is finding it so hard to trust but sometimes there just isn't a reason. Be patient with your child. Encourage him or her in every way. Let her know that she is loved and excepted for who she is and someday she will open up and sing like an angel.

I work in education and have seen great improvements in communication from children with SM with the aid of a therapist. Often times parent's being within sight of the child can help or using key 'safe' or comfortable words or phrases instead of words the child deems as stressful, but it can be a long process. It's always great to have professional support with issues you may not be familiar with when it comes to you child. Good luck!

Look on the net you will find many suggestions. Go on this site too: http://www.acposb.on.ca/mutism.html. Good luck with your angel.