Children with selective mutism (SM) are talkative at home but unable to speak in school or other public places because they are paralyzed with anxiety. SM usually discovered when kids are three or four, and it’s not uncommon for them to go a whole year without saying a word in preschool, even when they need help. Here you’ll find articles with more details on this anxiety disorder and the best treatments.
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More on Selective Mutism
- More Topics
- Helping Children With Selective Mutism During the Holidays
- Myths About Selective Mutism
- Selective Mutism: Helping Kids Find Their Voices
- When Should Medication Be Used to Treat Selective Mutism?
- Tips for Helping Kids With Selective Mutism Go Back to School
- ‘Brave Talking’ Helps Kids Beat Selective Mutism
- 22 ‘Brave Buddies’ Find a Voice
Ask an Expert
All Ask an Expert- Can a special ed tutor help support a child with selective mutism?
- When should medication be used to treat selective mutism?
- What should a teacher do if parents aren’t concerned about selective mutism?
- Should my daughter who might have selective mutism switch classes?
- My son, who has been taking Prozac for selective mutism, is now completely verbal in school. When can we start taking him off it?
- My son with SM is now refusing to talk to his sister. What should we do?
- My niece refuses to speak around adults, but with kids she’s the leader of the group. Could she have SM?
- My daughter’s school would like her to repeat second grade. When is it good to keep a child back, if ever?
- My daughter doesn’t talk at school or karate. Any advice on getting her to speak?
- My 5-year-old has selective mutism and a life-threatening nut allergy. How can we keep her safe in school?
- My 10-year-old daughter with anxiety won’t participate in gym. Should we push her?
- I’m homeschooling my daughter with selective mutism because the school wouldn’t help her. Am I doing the right thing?
- How do you tell the difference between Asperger’s and selective mutism?
- How can you help a 16-year-old who still has selective mutism?
- Does selective mutism keep getting worse? My 3-year-old’s not talking seems to have spread from the classroom to the playground and family gatherings.
- Can my child have both autism and selective mutism, and be treated for both?
- A kindergarten student with SM refuses to use the bathroom at school. Do you have any suggestions?
Events
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Brave Buddies Two-Day Session
Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, 2018 NEW PROGRAM FOR OLDER CHILDREN AGES 8 - 12 Brave Buddies℠ is an intensive group behavioral treatment program designed to help children with selective mutism (SM) speak in school and other public places. This two-day intensive program is structured using a classroom-like setting, which provides children with many opportunities to practice what we call “brave talking.” Planned activities include a daily morning meeting, classroom visitors, a presentation, a field trip to order a cupcake or ice cream, and lots of group and partner projects. Additionally, older children will receive education about what anxiety is and learn tools to manage it.
Thursday, Jul 12, 2018
9:00 am est
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Brave Buddies Four-Day Program
BraveBuddies℠ is an intensive group behavioral treatment program designed to help children ages three to eight with selective mutism (SM) speak in school and other public places. We create a classroom-like setting that offers children a safe environment to practice verbal participation, or what we call “brave talking.” Ages 3 – 12 only Program runs: Saturday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 19, 2019: Parent training is a crucial part of Brave Buddies and runs from 9:30 to 11:00am daily.
Saturday, Feb 16, 2019
9:00 am est