All About Selective Mutism

[smartmummy]

Now my dd in k2. When she started nursery, t suspect SM.cos when she entered into the room she just freezed.She didn’t attend playgroup.that time I was suffering by stress. So I didn’t talk or play with her.when I teach her so

Ethnic she said no it is ‘something else’. From baby to 3 years my mother took care of her.after 3 years my mother went back. So that also affected her.Some more we change house. After t suspect I read the cautions similar to us. So I worried.she likes to play outside and running. Very active child before join kindy. After joined in the playground she refused to play.I told to my family members and friends.I got some tips and ideas. She always played or went with her brother. Now is the first time she had to do alone by herself cannot follow brother. Mummy didn’t talk at all as mentioned above reasons.after that I brought her alone and let her to play in the playground. First she didn’t play just watch other kids play. Then she started to play in the playground. Then I tried to make friends for her. So after school her school kids played in the playground. First she refused. So I talked my friend there and she watching her classmates playing there. Then slowly she started to play in the playground, but alone then after one or two months she started to play with classmates. It’s took fourmonths in total.
That time t asked me remind her something she didn’t do at school. But it made worse. One of my friends advices me don’t do like that. Don’t mind her just let her freely. I brought her story times everyweeks. I read in a book make people to open up. Iread some story books there. T had no patience and panic. Luckily after four months she left the school.I asked the new t about my dd she said she is ok.after that we went for holiday in the June. Tried to visit different places. In k1, she always crying. T said that she didn’t initiate to do. Always said that’ I don’t know’. T said actually she knew. Now in k2, she said very easy. One of her friends don’t know how to do. Her friends help to her. In k1, her friends helped her.

[rivervalley]

Hi all,


I came across what I think is a good article on SM and the treatment approach.

http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2002/020924/020924ftr.htm

[yeo88]

I have been reading the thread and feeling a bit nervous as some of the symptoms appear familiar. My boy is 2.5 year old and he just started Nursery this year. Just talked to the teacher who mentioned that my son is very quiet in class and only talks to her. He does not talk to the other children. It also seems that there are days where he will refuse to talk and just observe the class.I was really surprised as he is very cheerful and talkative at home. Is 2.5 year too young to determine whether he has some anxiety issues? Any advice would be appreciated.


Chenonceau,
Thanks for sharing and telling us about your boy. My kids also have a very big age gap and I wonder whether this could be the reason of his behavior too. Although they love each other, he is very jealous of his sister and always wants to gain my attention at all times. Appreciate if you could share some of tips on how you manage to build his confidence. Thanks

[yeo88]

Deminic,

I have PM you. thanks

[boinbi]

Hi Deminic,


I’ve sent you a PM.

[aqualuna]

hi all


my dd2 is turning 3 this sept and is now attending playgroup since Jan this year.
teacher said she is a quiet girl and usually just nod or shake head and she do not talked to other children. When she need the toilet, she also do not speak up.
Recently, she cried in class but when teacher asked her wanting to know what has happened, my dd2 did not answer the teacher too. When we are at home, then she tell us that her friend pushed her.

I chanced upon this and wonder if I should have her assessed now? Appreciate any advise or contacts for help.

[yeo88]

Dear aqualuna,

I was also very concerned about my boy and the school principal advised it was too early to tell, especially since our kids have just started preschool. It would take time for them to adjust to school and environment. Also, i was explained that they are very self centered at this age and dont feel the need to talk to their friends. Hence, a better gage would be at the end of school year. Please talk to teacher and school Principal about your worries.

[mummyJune]

my 3yr old boy has selective mutism. How to get him treated?


i read online that there are not much cases of selective mutism in singapore. is there doc at kkh that my son can see? previously we thought he has speech delay & currently he is attending speech therapy at HPB after referal by kkh doc. only recently i was told by another speech therapist my son has selective mutism.

He will scream very loudly. Now he attending N1 fullday childcare, but what saddens me is (due to no choice), his teacher has to separate my son from his classmates because whoever is near my son, he will scream loudly. my hubby has taken a video of how my son every morning at school is & after i saw my son being alone at a corner made me cry. His teacher i talked to said morning time she has to separate my son, but after awhile she will bring him to mix with his classmates but if he screams nonstop, she will ve to separate him,which means my son eats alone, plays alone, totally no interaction with other kids.

If there are any parents with similar cases, pls help me, what can i do to help my son. Thank u. :?:

[ammonite]

mummyJune,

there is an older thread on this. Maybe you can ask some of the mummies in that thread?

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=23015

[Pure Purple]

Dear MummyJune


The two agencies that have experience with children with selective mutism would be KKH Department of Child Development (KKH DCD) and IMH Child Guidance Clinic. You mentioned that you were referred by a KKH doctor, so I think you are already with KKH DCD, but just in case it was another doctor in another department, i thought I’ll highlight this so you get to the correct department. It’s also good that he is seeing the speech and language therapist, so just press on with that. You may need some time to see results.

As your child is rather young, the diagnosis might not yet be certain. But it will be good to keep with plenty of language opportunities for him, even if he is not speaking let him be immersed with a language-rich environment. In addition to the speech and language therpaist, it will be good to have either a developmental paediatrician (KKH DCD doctor) or a child psychiatrist (IMH CGC doctor) attend to him, just to note if he has additional learning or support needs, such as an early intervention programme.

As selective mutism is associated with anxiety, the key is to allow your boy to develop familarity and a sense of security with the people around him, and not to pressurize him to speak as this may further heighten his anxiety.

Consider bringing him to the neighbourhood playground regularly where there are other children and adults to mingle with. It will be ideal if over time, these people become more familiar with him and vice versa. Play is the best way children learn. You may have to review the N1 class, sounds like he is acting out with the screaming. Some young children may find the hours too long, or the noise level too high, etc. You’ll need to work with the school to find the triggers for the screams. Or perhaps, this is something new and he has yet to be familar with the environment, both physical and social. Supportive and nurturing caregivers at the preschool/childcare is important.

Most individuals with selective mutism outgrow this condition at various points in thier life. School principals and teachers are also familiar with this condition and parents, children and their schools can work together to overcome difficulties associated with selective mutism.

Hope this helps. All the best.

Regards