Helping Your Child With Selective Mutism 1st (first) edition Text Only

by Angela E. McHolm

Often described as "social phobia's cousin" and misdiagnosed as autism, selective mutism is a debilitating fear of speaking in some situations experienced by some children. The disorder usually presents in children before the age of five, but it may not be recognized until the child starts school. When requested to speak, children with selective mutism often look down, blush, or otherwise express anxiety that disrupts their engagement with people and activities. Selective mutism is related to social anxiety and social phobia, and more than 90 percent of children with selective mutism also manifest symptoms of one of these problems. This book is the first available for parents of children with selective mutism. It offers a broad overview of the condition and reviews the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. The book details a plan you can use to coordinate professional treatment of your child's disorder. It also explains the steps you can take on your own to encourage your child to speak comfortably in school and in his or her peer group. All of the book's strategies employ a gradual, "stepladder" approach. The techniques gently encourage children to speak more, while at the same time helping them feel safe and supported.Angela E. McHolm, Ph.D., is director of the Selective Mutism Service at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, ON. The Selective Mutism Service offers outpatient psychiatric consultation to families and professionals such as school personnel, speech and language pathologists, and mental health clinicians who support children with selective mutism. She is assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Dawna Talgorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after having a student with selective mutism in one of my classes last year. This book has many practical suggestions for both classroom teachers and parents who are trying to help. I feel much more empowered for the next time I encounter a student struggling with selective mutism.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic resource with tons of practical tips on how to help your child with selective mutism, especially in the school environment. I only wish there were more information on how to help them in less frequent scenarios like seeing the optometrist or talking to store clerks.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful practical book for parents. I picked up lots of great tips and techniques to try with my preschooler, but there is an extensive action plan in here as well. There are not many resources out there on SM, so this is the one to read.

[Danielle Vuong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A practical, easy to read guide about how to help my child overcome Selective Mutism. This seems to be the book recommended by local psychologists as well, since it comes complete with an action plan.

[T]

Brilliant. Very informative and with practical tips for working with children with SM.

[Jenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better books written on such a rare, but serious disorder. Like this one better than some of the other literature I have seen. This is one of the more reliable writings.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great user-friendly resource not only for parents but also for any involved personnel (e.g., psychologists, teachers, speech-language pathologists).

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the approach in this book and the clear step by step instructions for coming up with a treatment plan. Very similar to the approach I've used as a MSW Intern.

[Eric Engleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource which will become valuable for years. The practical guide will help the child, parents and teachers. The assessment guides will help you track and monitor when, where and who activates your child's anxiety. The book outlines the top approaches and provides assistance when you need it most.

No matter where you are in the selective mutism journey, it's useful to have this in your back pocket to aid teachers and educational support-workers who are generally not trained to provide specialized support. This practical guide can help manage those parent-teacher school interventions successfully.

Note - Don't travel the journey alone. Make sure you get professional support and specialists. Selective Mutism doesn't just fade away.

[Jfzhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to learn more about selective mutism and a practical approach to help kids gradually overcome it. But the examples and most descriptions in the book are assuming that kids have the problem since very young. I’m more interested in kids who become selective mutism after they are teens. What might trigger that? Trauma or cognitive impairment? Or maybe just a result of anxiety?

[Allison Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, practical guide for helping your child with Selective Mutism.

[Bethany]

Solid book for professionals, as well as parents

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has many great tips for helping a child with their selective mutism.