Selective Mutism In Our Own Words

Author: Cheryl Forrester
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 178450114X
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 273

Book Description
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.

Helping Your Child with Selective Mutism

Author: Angela E. McHolm
Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
ISBN: 160882392X
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Book 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.

After Zero

Author: Christina Collins
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1492655333
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 194

Book Description
This award winning book offers kids an authentic depiction of selective mutism and a story of the experience of middle school interactions and mental illness. Elise carries a notebook full of tallies, each page marking a day spent at her new public school, each stroke of her pencil marking a word spoken. A word that can't be taken back. Five tally marks isn't so bad. Two is pretty good. But zero? Zero is perfect. Zero means no wrong answers called out in class, no secrets accidentally spilled, no conversations to agonize over at night when sleep is far away. But now months have passed, and Elise isn't sure she could speak even if she wanted to—not to keep her only friend, Mel, from drifting further away—or to ask if anyone else has seen her English teacher's stuffed raven come to life. Then, the discovery of a shocking family secret helps Elise realize that her silence might just be the key to unlocking everything she's ever hoped for... A 2019 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE) A 2018 Cybils Nominee A Texas Lone Star Reading List title "Powerful and poetic."—John David Anderson, author of Posted and Ms. Bixby's Last Day "This tender and truthful book stays with you long after the words have gone."—Patricia Forde, author of The List "A must read. After Zero reminds us of so many loved ones of those suffering from anxiety or depressive disorders. It is a story that will hopefully foster empathy and maybe even communication with our 'quiet' peers."—Wesley King, author of OCDaniel Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7 Great for parents and educators looking for: A story that addresses middle school social interactions, grief, loss and mental illness A story that depicts selective mutism authentically

Unspoken Words

Author: Sophia Blum
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781467982597
Category : Selective mutism
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Unspoken Words: A Child's View of Selective Mutism, is the first book of its kind! It's written by a teenager who suffered from Selective Mutism. This unique book is directed to children with Selective Mutism as well as for parents, professionals and teachers to help them understand a child's unspoken words when unable to speak and express themselves. Sophia Blum is Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum's daughter and wrote this book to help others understand. 'Unspoken Words' begins with a letter to children helping them to know they are not alone and others feel as they do. The book also includes a letter to parents, professionals and teachers reading the book as well with the goal of helping them understand what a child with SM feels like, may be wanting to say, but can't regarding various social settings, such as in public, with guests at home, friends who visit and with teachers/peers at school. The bulk of the book includes well-written and insightful sayings that children may be saying or actions they may be taking and then explains what they really may be meaning. Beautiful illustrations are included throughout to help 'see' what the child may be feeling. Finally, Sophia has written her story, Beneath my Shell, as a way of explaining her feelings while suffering in silence. Sophie's story is detailed, introspective, heartwarming and inspirational as she describes her personal journey to overcome Selective Mutism. Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum has a section called, 'From a Mom's Perspective' where she tells her story of when Sophie was young, Sophie's journey to overcoming Selective Mutism and hence the fuel to Dr. Shipon-Blum's life mission to understand and treat children suffering in silence. ** ALL proceeds for this book will be used towards the education and public awareness of Selective Mutism.

The Selective Mutism Resource Manual

Author: Maggie Johnson
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351702696
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 442

Book Description
For anyone who needs to understand, assess or manage selective mutism, this is a comprehensive and practical manual that is grounded in behavioural psychology and anxiety management and draws on relevant research findings as well as the authors' extensive clinical experience. Now in its second edition and including new material for adolescents and adults, The Selective Mutism Resource Manual 2e provides: an up-to-date summary of literature and theory to deepen your understanding of selective mutism a wealth of ideas on assessment and management in home, school and community settings so that its relevance extends far beyond clinical practice a huge range of printable online handouts and other resources case studies and personal stories to illustrate symptoms and demonstrate the importance of tailored interventions. This book is essential reading for people who have selective mutism as well as for the clinicians, therapists, educators, caseworkers and families who support them.

Louder Than Words

Author: Laura Jarratt
Publisher: Electric Monkey
ISBN: 9781405269124
Category : Brothers and sisters
Languages : en
Pages : 401

Book Description
Rafi hasn't spoken for eight years. It's up to her to tell her brother's story now that he can't speak either ... Rafi idolises her seventeen-year-old brother, who is popular, generous and a borderline genius. Ever protective, Silas always includes her when he's with his friends, so Rafi gets to hear all sorts of things that younger sisters wouldn't normally be a part of. Like the time Silas hacks a gaming site to help out his friend Josie, who has been trashed by her ex. With Josie, Rafi finds herself with a proper friend for the first time in her life. As they grow closer, she realises that she wants to find a way back into the world - she wants to learn to speak again. But Silas has found a new interest too - and it's taking him away from everything that was once important to him. Can Rafi find the words to save her brother?

Can I Tell You about Selective Mutism?

Author: Maggie Johnson
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 1849052891
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 58

Book Description
Discusses selective mutism, explaining how those suffering from the disorder experience intense fear and panic in social situations, and offers suggestions for how parents and educators can help those afflicted.

Selective Mutism

Author: Aimee Kotrba, PhD
Publisher: PESI Publishing & Media
ISBN: 1559570067
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 148

Book Description
Selective Mutism: A Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents provides an effective, research-based behavioral intervention plan for the successful treatment of Selective Mutism. Based on years of clinical experience and expertise, author Dr. Aimee Kotrba provides not only assessment and treatment information, but also case examples, easy-to-implement workbook sheets, and informative handouts. Dr. Kotrba is an advocate of team treatment - parents, schools, and mental health professionals working together to intervene with selective mutism -- and this book provides intervention strategies for all team members, as well as a comprehensive treatment plan that can be individualized to any child. The techniques included emphasize a gradual, stepwise approach to increased speech, as well as fun and engaging activities that can be used at each step of treatment. Tips for engaging and motivating children and teens are included to improve treatment outcomes.

Persona Medusa

Author: D. Sharry
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781515186403
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A boy stands on a threshold between light and dark, an intense anxiety rises up within him, robs his voice and pushes him into the dark, he must make peace and unite with this anxiety in order to regain his voice and step into the light. Persona Medusa is the story of a boy, DJ, who upon starting school is struck by an overwhelming force of anxiety. The anxiety is so strong that he physically cannot speak or move a muscle when the expectation to speak is on him. This anxiety disorder is known as Selective Mutism. He continues to experience the same anxiety and paralysis of voice and body each day at every expectation to speak such as, the roll call, class-mates trying to speak to him, his pencil breaking, his paint brush drying, the teachers asking him questions, break times and worst of all being unable to ask to use the toilet. DJ has a safe place home where he can speak and move freely but this is slowly eroded by the immense anxiety that attacks him in his away from home life. The anxiety and shame follows DJ as he leaves school, starts college, travels, enters the work force, makes and loses friends and falls in love with his future wife, Anita. With his marriage coming up DJ decides he wants to give a speech but first he must make peace with the intense anxiety that confronted him at the age of four on the school classroom threshold which muted him in voice and expression. DJ goes to a therapist who talks him through his experiences and feelings and helps him reconnect with himself. His wedding day arrives and DJ steps up to make his speech.......

The Magical Imperfect

Author: Chris Baron
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN: 1250767830
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 336

Book Description
"Highly recommended... Perfect for readers of Wonder and Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe."— Booklist magazine, starred review Etan has stopped speaking since his mother left. His father and grandfather don’t know how to help him. His friends have given up on him. When Etan is asked to deliver a grocery order to the outskirts of town, he realizes he’s at the home of Malia Agbayani, also known as the Creature. Malia stopped going to school when her acute eczema spread to her face, and the bullying became too much. As the two become friends, other kids tease Etan for knowing the Creature. But he believes he might have a cure for Malia’s condition, if only he can convince his family and hers to believe it too. Even if it works, will these two outcasts find where they fit in?