Hello It is the first time that I have done anything like this so am not sure if I am in the right place, but here goes.
I watched the programme on selective mutism last night. I found it very upsetting because my son was exactly like that. He is now 24, but didn't talk at school until he went to his senior school at the age of 13. In those days no-one at school had ever known of anything like it and no-one knew what to do about it. I was called into the school to discuss it with the head and also with the school nurse, but because at home he was a chatterbox they wouldn't do anything about it.
My answer was to find as many things for him to do outside school as I could so that he could mix with different people. I'm not sure if it was any help but he sat his A levels, went to University to study sports science, was club captain of the football team and is the most outgoing person I know.
Funnily enough as I was watching the programme my son telephoned me to ask if I was watching it and he said 'That was me wasn't it? I don't know why I did that.'
Selective Mutism (or as it use to be called Elective Mustism) is not very common, and although its becoming a little better known there is still a way to go.
In the modern school, its much easier to detect, as so much of the lsessons are interactive, requiring feedback from the children. In days gone by, selective mutes would have been ideal children to have in class, as they sit still, don't interrupt, and are often pretty bright. Now though much assessment is done vocally "Can you count to ten, can you read me this book, ...".
Its painful to watch though, especially when its your own child. Others see the behaviour as rude, willful or controlling. Its difficult to explain it to people you meet occasionally, often easier just to say "Oh she's shy" rather than get into the whole discussion.
I put some links in another thread in this forum if you need more info.
Funnily enough as I was watching the programme my son telephoned me to ask if I was watching it and he said 'That was me wasn't it? I don't know why I did that.'
Its nice to hear a happy ending. Im trying your approach and having some success. My daughtrer is still only 5 and I recognise I can't solve all her problems. But I can provide a safe and happy home life, that has to count for something. I hope I'm having a conversation like yours in years to come
There’s this girl I know; I try to speak to her and a load of rubbish comes out, other times I'm just speechless and I have to steady myself on the furniture. She probably assumes I'm a mute with a balance problem!
