Is there a group for moms with children with Selective Mutism?

Joy - posted on 11/05/2010

thank you cheryl for posting those poems... My son has SM, and I really want his classmates to know why he "doesnt talk".. i think this will help 5yr olds to understand

Teri - posted on 05/07/2009

I could use your help-what sort of things does your school do for your 9 yr old that I could incorporate in my 10 yr old's routine. Bribes no longer work-I won't use meds (my daughter won't try them either!)-I feel like I am at wits end and can't seem to find a Psych who specializes in this disorder who is close and is in "our Ins. Plan".

Teri - posted on 05/07/2009

School seems to be my problem-having my daughter meet for 1/2 hr a week with a counselor at school that I have to seek out to see how things are going gets tedious.

I feel the school really has no idea how to handle this situation-I just need a few tips as we will start middle school in the fall.

Teri - posted on 05/06/2009

10 stages of Selective Mutism? Could you send me a copy? I'm on facebook-teri marcuccio-thank you!

Farrah - posted on 02/01/2009

You can type "selective mutism" in the search box and my group should be right there, I believe I have the only group on this subject.

Farrah - posted on 02/01/2009

Hi everyone. I recently started a group on SM...Selective-Mutism Breaking the Silence. My daughter is 9 years old and has SM. She is getting a lot better with help from school. I would love for you all to join my group!! It's been hard finding members because this is such a rare condition. With this group I hope to share experiences and advice with one another. Thanks! Hope to see and chat with you guys!

Farrah

Jennifer - posted on 01/14/2009

Thank you to all of your for your advice, I greatly appreciate it. My daughter has come a long way since being diagnosed in 2005, however she still faces challenges everyday, we tried medicine and that didn't work, and because of where I live, experienced therapists, md's in selective mutism are rare, but I am definitely going to look into the books and other resources that you all have posted. thank you!!

Jill - posted on 01/14/2009

I met a selective mute while I worked as an elementary school secretary.  She worked closely with the school psychiatrist and speech therapist.  Her homework was recorded at home and it took nearly the entire school year before she was comfortable with the class listening to the tapes.  Toward the end of the year she began to whisper to a few of those of us that worked with her.  Best wishes!

Kerry - posted on 01/14/2009

I don't know wether this is any help have you read any of Torey Haydens books. She's an ex teacher who used to help people with this especially children there might be some tips in there for you to try. I'm sure she also has a website you should try her name in google. Take care

Suzanne - posted on 01/14/2009

Hi Ladies - my sister's daughter has this. She is doing well at the moment.

If I send her the link to here she won't be able to find it lol but you can find her at the forum she is in http://www.naturalmummies.com/forum

Her name is Chryssi in there and she may be able to be of some benefit to you and I'm sure she would love to chat to other mums that are/have gone through the same thing.

Delanie - posted on 01/13/2009

I am a speech/language pathologist and have found that a combination of accessing physicians, behavioral therapists, and speech/language pathologists can help. Always be loving, supportive, and accepting.

Cheryl - posted on 01/13/2009

I gave my daughter a copy of both poems a while ago and it helped her to understand what she is going through and that she is not alone, that other kids/adults have SM as well

Cheryl - posted on 01/13/2009

I’ll Try Tomorrow

Here I am! I wanted to say

The girl that comes here everyday

I wanted to talk and be a part of you

And show you everything that I can do

But I sat here quietly day after day

Not knowing why I can’t ask you to play

I wish I had the strength to try

But, it was just too hard, (I was too shy)

You use to ask me many times to play

But I couldn’t answer I turned away

I wanted to smile and join in the fun

But I remained silent (I wanted to run)

I know I’m different but I want to be like you

But it’s the hardest thing for me to do

Now the day is over and my heart is filled with sorrow

For I couldn’t speak again today, I guess

I’ll try tomorrow

Author Unknown

Cheryl - posted on 01/13/2009

here is a poem i found on SM group site

The Invisible Dragon

I have a dragon inside of me

He jumps in my mouth when I want to be free

He grabs at my throat when I want to speak

He makes me so scared that I feel very weak

You can’t see my dragon coz he’s deep down inside

But he makes me so nervous; all I want to do is hide

I wish that I could speak to you – I wish I had the choice

But the dragon inside of me has snatched away my voice

When teachers ask a question and we raise a hand

When she calls my name and makes me stand

I simply can’t answer – my throats too tight

Coz my dragon says “BOO” and I jump with fright

It really makes me sad; all I want to do is cry

Coz I’d love to be your friend if I wasn’t so shy

So if my face doesn’t smile when you ask me to play

It’s because this pesky dragon just won’t go away

Author Unknown

Cheryl - posted on 01/13/2009

ok that doesn't seem to work too well.. If any one wants a copy of the 10 stages i can email it to you

Sarah - posted on 01/13/2009

Hi two of my children had this condition and are both now able to speak to their peers, although both are still quite shy at school they do manage to talk to others. What I would say is to not give up and give those children with this condition the reassurance that is ok if they do not want to talk to some one. Also having good support staff within a school envioment does wonders.

I have also come across this condition in practice settings and I find that having one person they can slowly learn to trust is a huge stepping stone.

Take each day one at a time,  and try not to worry a child that senses this somtimes finds it harder to change.

Anne - posted on 01/13/2009

I went to a hypnosis center in Needham MA called Positive Changes (I believe it's a chain) where they had posted an article from local newspaper about how they helped a child with mutism: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/homep... It's behavior modification based on relaxation, and it appears to have been very successful in this case.

Candace - posted on 01/13/2009

I have a student who has been diagnosed with selective mutism and we are in the process of figuring out what we can do to help her. She is 15 now and her mutism is much worst due to the fact that it has been left for so long. She is now very difficult to work with but I do know help needs to begin with doctors first. I am not sure medication is the best but it varies by case. I hope that if you have any advice from the research you have done, you would be willing to share it with me. Good luck and the best of hope

Cheryl - posted on 01/13/2009

my daughter is 9 and is a selective mute. i have been on many websites all telling me the cause of it and ways to try to help but other than putting her onto prescription drugs i have tried practically anything. I have since left her to her own devices and she seems to be coming out of shell a bit more but still a long way to go

Christine - posted on 01/06/2009

I don't know if there is a group like that, but my friends child had this. They went to the doctor, and the doctor gave them very good advice and things to do, and it worked....he is quite the chatterbox now! I would say start with your doctor if you haven't already.

Jackie - posted on 01/05/2009

OK, my profile pic is of my dd on Christmas Eve, she and her cousins were told to make a really silly face and that is what she came up with. Cracks me right up!

Jackie - posted on 01/05/2009

I'd like to know about one too. I have a violin student who has selective mutism. Sweet as can be but I'd love to talk to her.

Jackie

Robyn - posted on 01/05/2009

Hi Jennifer!



I found this link online http://www.selectivemutism.org/ they have a parent group and maybe you can get some advise from other moms.



Good Luck!

Robyn

www.WorkAtHomeUnited.com/RobynBrown

Connie - posted on 01/04/2009

If there is I would like to know too!