Product Description
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.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 14 reviews)

A Sigh of Relief and a plan for Hope! by S. Alcott (la habra, ca United States)

4 Stars
November 03, 2009
When this book arrived in the mail and I began reading it, I really did get a sigh of relief. I realized that there was 'something' out there to help us! Reading this book made me feel like I could handle selective mutism with my child. It gives clear ideas/plans of action and is very realistic. I highly recommend this book to ppl dealing with this debilitating disorder. I am proud and relieved to say that my daughter is close to exhibiting NO signs of SM. Much of this, is because of the excellent advise in this awesome book.

Not an easy read, but looks promising by Average Joe (San Antonio, TX USA)

4 Stars
January 10, 2009
I found this book to be somewhat offensive and a bit perplexing, because the authors use the feminine pronouns she, her, etc. in almost every instance that a pronoun is used. Very rarely are the masculine pronouns he, him, etc. used. This is very distracting because my child is male. I found myself continually asking myself, "Does this apply to males, or only to females?" The authors could have used gender inclusive phrases such as "he/she", "he or she," etc. Admittedly, these phrases are a bit clumsy, but they would better clarify that the book is intended for both genders. I am subtracting one star for this. As far as the actual content goes, they authors have done a good job of including numerous studies and references to back up their ideas of what causes selective mutism and how to treat it. Much of the material covered aspects that I already was aware of through conversations with my son's teacher and observing my son at school. However, I can't fault the authors for being thorough. They bring up some very good issues that I hadn't thought of before, such as reducing anxiety through changing seating location, choice of seating mates, engagement in reduced-anxiety activities at school, and others. I can't report on the effectiveness of the techniques yet as I am just now implementing the authors' ideas. I will update this review after I monitor my son's progress for a few months. All in all, this is a helpful book, though not an easy read. Aside from the confusion caused by the use of feminine pronouns, the book can be a bit wordy. I found myself thinking, "Okay, get to the point!" in several chapters. However, I would recommend this book in spite of its writing style deficiencies. I am wavering between giving it three or four stars, but I think I will go with four, as I am in a generous mood right now.

Excellent Book by Cathy A. Janssen (Wisconsin)

5 Stars
October 25, 2008
This book is a must read for parents that have a child with selective mutism. My doctor recommended it because he learned a lot from reading this book. I am thrilled to finally have a diagnosis for my son and someone to help both him and I dealing with this. This book is excellent for explaining selective mutism and how to help someone with it.

A good basic resource by Tara Marshall (Phoenix, AZ United States)

4 Stars
April 10, 2007
I consider selective mutism as an extreme form of anxiety disorder, much like the authors of this book and several of the reviewers. However, there are reasons why children with selective mutism are sometimes "misdiagnosed" with autism spectrum disorder. Frequently, in my experience, the two overlap, especially in children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I also say this from experience: I am diagnosed Asperger's as an adult, but could not speak fluently until I was 8 due to word-finding difficulties associated with autism. There was no diagnosis of high-functioning autism when I was a child, so they called me "elective mutism with autistic features". (Selective mutism used to be called elective mutism.) I had a great deal of anxiety in situations where I was expected to speak to others for years afterward, and frequently would not speak with anyone other than my parents and teachers. I must say, though, that the authors did not include the techniques I have found that work best with children with either or both selective mutism and high-functioning autism disorders, including asperger's, who have anxiety about speaking. Some respond very well to the use of masks. I try to have it be a mask that the child has made, with my assistance, and gradually modify the mask to look more like the child, or modify the base material from paper to nylon around a base. Another good therapy tool is a sock puppet. Gradually make it look more like the child, such as by adding hair, eyes the same color as the childs', etc. Gradually try to fade the use of these as the child's anxiety decreases. Best of luck.

Great Results!!! by P. S. Jones (Baltimore, MD United States)

5 Stars
March 09, 2007
We have a 4 year old who did not speak at all in preschool for the first several months. We were very worried about her. Her teacher initially misunderstood her behavior, thinking she was just being uncooperative. I initially consulted the website, [...], and shared the information from it with her teacher. Together we implemented several strategies recommended on the website, including a teacher home visit, and realized some positive, albeit limited, results. I then found this book, and again shared it with her teacher. We had a very clear understanding of SM as a result, and implemented some additional strategies suggested in the book (like another teacher home visit, building on the friendships she had outside of school, being cognizant of classroom seating, etc.). To all of our amazement she is a little chatterbox at school now (same school year)!!! I am incredulous that implementing the simple suggestions on the website and in the book had such dramatic results, and highly recommend the book for parents and teachers of children with this problem. THANK YOU to the authors!!!

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child by Elisa Shipon-Blum (Author) Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum's Guide, "The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child" is a wonderfully informative guidebook that will provide parents, teachers, and treating professionals with the advice necessary to help prepare the 'ideal class setting for the Selectively Mute child.' This practical guide is informative and entertaining and goes into detail as to tactics that can be done in the school to benefit and accommodate the needs of the Selectively Mute child....
	Understanding Katie by Elisa Shipon-Blum (Illustrator) Understanding Katie is a hands-on storybook written especially for children between the ages of 3-12 years of age who suffer from Selective Mutism and/or social phobia. Selectively Mute/socially anxious children ‘cannot speak’ and feel afraid when they are in various social situations, such as school. This can be a very isolating feeling. Understanding Katie will help these children realize that they are not alone and there are others in this world who feel as they do. ...
	The Selective Mutism Resource Manual by Maggie Johnson (Author)
	Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens by x Barbara Markway (Author), Ph.D. Gregory Markway (Author) DO YOU WORRY THAT YOUR CHILD IS TOO SHY?DOES YOUR CHILD SIT ON THE SIDELINES, OFTEN AVOIDING GROUP ACTIVITIES?DOES YOUR CHILD FEEL NERVOUS WHEN BEING CALLED ON BY THE TEACHER, GIVING A REPORT IN CLASS, OR READING ALOUD?DOES YOUR CHILD COMPLAIN OF "BUTTERFLIES" IN THE STOMACH, DIZZINESS, SHAKY HANDS, OR BLUSHING?DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD BREAK OUT OF HIS OR HER SHELL?With the right kind of care and attention, every child has the chance to overcome his or her shyness. Nurturing...
	Cat's Got Your Tongue?: A Story for Children Afraid to Speak by Charles E. Schaefer (Author), Judith Friedman (Illustrator) Many young children refuse to speak when in unfamiliar situations - a condition called elective mutism. In this gentle story, Anna stops speaking when she starts kindergarten, until her parents and a therapist help her overcome her anxiety.