Being brave with selective mutism : a step-by-step guide for children and their caregivers

If you've picked up this book, talking is probably pretty hard for you. Maybe you really want to talk but feel too nervous to do it when lots of eyes are on you. Perhaps you can talk to certain people but not others or you can only speak a few words in a soft voice. No matter what you are going through, the tips and activities in this book can help you to feel braver about talking. Selective mutism can be tricky to manage. This workbook helps you and your child formulate a plan for exposure activities, and breaks down talking into attainable steps. It includes examples of games to play while practicing talking and offers sample dialogues to illustrate how to do exposures. Pairing a system of rewards along with the exposures helps your child through the challenge of dealing with those uncomfortable feelings. It discusses different situations and places where talking can be difficult and introduces two children, Emily and Jackson, who are both working hard to tackle their selective mutism. Packed full of activities, worksheets and helpful strategies, this book makes putting in the work of being brave around talking fun! For the first time, people with Selective Mutism (SM) share their personal experiences of the condition, shedding light on how it affects everyday life and activities at home, school and in relationships. Young people and adults describe how they cope with SM and its associated difficulties, providing insights into this misunderstood condition. An eye-opening and enlightening collection of stories from people living with Selective Mutism (SM), this book provides a much-needed platform for people with SM to share experiences of the condition in their own words. Exploring all aspects of SM, from symptoms and diagnostic criteria, to triggers and the consequences of being psychologically unable to speak, the stories in this book dispel the myths around this often misunderstood condition. Far from refusing to talk, or choosing not to, the contributors offer genuine insights into why they simply cannot speak in certain situations or in front of certain people. Children, teens and adults from the UK and US share experiences of feeling isolated, struggling at school, and finding ways to communicate. Letting people with SM know that they are not alone with the condition, the book will also help family, friends and professionals to understand what it is like to live with SM

Bringing together the latest research and understanding on selective mutism, this edited book gives essential information on the various treatment and therapy options. Experts in the fields of speech and language therapy, psychology, music therapy education and communication offer a wide range of professional perspectives on the condition, while case studies from people with selective mutism, past sufferers and parents reveal the personal impact. The book also clarifies what support a person with selective mutism is likely to need at home, school and in social situations.

This definitive volume on selective mutism will be key reading for professionals such as speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, child psychiatrists, child and adolescent mental health workers and anyone working with selective mutism in therapeutic and educational settings, as well as family members wanting a closer understanding of what selective mutism is and how they can help.

Bringing together the latest research and understanding on selective mutism, this edited book gives essential information on the various treatment and therapy options. Experts in the fields of speech and language therapy, psychology, music therapy education and communication offer a wide range of professional perspectives on the condition, while case studies from people with selective mutism, past sufferers and parents reveal the personal impact. The book also clarifies what support a person with selective mutism is likely to need at home, school and in social situations. This definitive volume on selective mutism will be key reading for professionals such as speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, child psychiatrists, child and adolescent mental health workers, teachers, SENCOs and anyone working with selective mutism in therapeutic and educational settings, as well as family members wanting a closer understanding of what selective mutism is and how they can help "An eye-opening and enlightening collection of stories from people living with Selective Mutism (SM), this book provides a much-needed platform for people with SM to share experiences of the condition in their own words. Exploring all aspects of SM, from symptoms and diagnostic criteria, to triggers and the consequences of being psychologically unable to speak, the stories in this book dispel the myths around this often misunderstood condition. Far from refusing to talk, or choosing not to, the contributors offer genuine insights into why they simply cannot speak in certain situations or in front of certain people. Children, teens and adults from the UK and US share experiences of feeling isolated, struggling at school, and finding ways to communicate. Letting people with SM know that they are not alone with the condition, the book will also help family, friends and professionals to understand what it is like to live with SM."--Publisher's information Bringing together the latest research and understanding on selective mutism, this edited book gives essential information on the various treatment and therapy options. Experts in the fields of speech therapy, psychology, music therapy and education and communication specialists offer a wide range of professional perspectives on the condition, while case studies from people with selective mutism, past sufferers and parents reveal the personal impact. The book also clarifies what support a person with selective mutism is likely to need at home, school and in social situations. This definitive volume on selective mutism will be key reading for professionals such as speech and language therapists and those working with selective mutism in therapeutic and educational settings, as well as family members wanting a closer understanding of what selective mutism is and how they can help. This eye-opening collection of stories from people living with Selective Mutism (SM), provides a much-needed platform for sharing experiences of life with SM, dispelling the myths around this often misunderstood condition. Farfrom refusing to talk, or choosing not to, these children, teens and adults offer genuine insights into why they simply cannot speak in certain situations or in front of certain people. They explore all aspects of SM, from symptoms and diagnostic criteria, to triggers and the consequences of being psychologically unable to speak, such as isolation, struggling at school and finding creative ways to communicate. Letting people with SM know that they are not alone with the condition, the book offers a helpful understanding of what it is like to live with SM. Book jacket Meet Hannah - a young girl with selective mutism (SM). Hannah invites readers to learn about selective mutism from her perspective, helping them to understand what it is, what it feels like to have SM, and how they can help. This illustrated book is packed with accessible information and will be an ideal introduction to selective mutism. It shows family, friends and teachers how they can support a child with the condition and is also a good place to start when encouraging children with SM to talk about how it affects them. Introducing Hannah who has selective mutism Tension, panic, and phobia Speaking freely at home It's not refusal to speak Playing with others Talking in the classroom Feeling stressed and frustrated Speaking with the wider family Associated fears or phobias Telling the class about selective mutism How other children can help How teachers can help How parents can help. "This exposure-based book for selective mutism is designed for children and caregivers to work through together. With relatable characters and examples throughout, it guides you step-by-step through different exposure activities and helps you to build an achievable action plan to ease fears around talking in different situations"-- Provided by publisher Hannah invites readers to learn about selective mutism from her perspective, helping them to understand what it is and what it feels like to have SM. This illustrated book is packed with accessible information that will be an ideal introduction for family, friends and teachers, clearly showing them how they can support a child with the condition. In this definitive guide to selective mutism the latest research and understanding are consolidated in chapters from experts in the fields of speech therapy, psychology, music therapy and education and communication. It includes helpful information on the various treatment and therapeutic options with illustrative case studies. "Meet Hannah - a young girl with selective mutism (SM). Hannah invites readers to learn about selective mutism from her perspective, helping them to understand what it is, what it feels like to have SM, and how they can help."-- Amazon