Tara - about my 4 yo

[Guest guest]

Tara,

This is only an avenue to investigate so please don't be offended if it is way

off base..

Have you ever heard of Selective Mutism?

Below is some info. You can google it for more info...

Brigett

Selective mutism, formally known as elective mutism, is a disorder of

childhood that is characterized by the peristent lack of speech in at least one

social situation, despite the ability to speak in other situations.. Onset of

selective mutism typically occurs before a child is 5-years-old. However, it is

usually first noticed when the child enters school. Specific features of this

disorder are described in the 2000 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (pp.125-127) as follows:

Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (in which there is

an expectation for speaking, e.g., at school) despite speaking in other

siturations.

The disturbance interferes with educational or occupational achievement or

with social communication.

The duration of the disturbance is at least 1 month (not limited to the first

month of school).

The failure to speak is not due to a lack of knowledge of, or comfort with,

the spoken language required in the social situation.

The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Communication Disorder

(e.g., Stuttering) and does not occur exlusively during the course of a

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or othe Psychotic Disorder.

Associated Features and Disorders

A number of different psychological and personality features have been

associated with selective mutism (e.g., excessive shyness, fear of social

embarrassment, social isolation and withdrawal). Different studies identify

different features. Even when a group of children with selective mutism in a

particular study shows a tendency toward a particular feature, there are still

children in the group who do not display that behavior. It is the persistent

failure to speak in particular social situations that is the hallmark of

selective mutism. There are different degrees of severity for both verbal and

nonverbal communication. The severity also may vary from setting to setting.

Children with selective mutism usually do not have speech or language problems;

however, an associated communication disorder (e.g., articulation or

phonological disorder, receptive or expressive language disorder) may occur.

These communication problems though are not the main reason for the mutism.

According to the DSM-IV, children with selective mutism are “almost always

given an additional diagnosis of an Anxiety Disorder (especially Social Phobia)”

(p. 126).

tara <tara.elena@...> wrote:

Hi!

I have a 4yo who is severely speech delayed and has several speech

impedements. I have had his hearing checked, had in speech therapy,

but nothing seems to work. He's a very bright child but is very shy

and I believe alot of this is a behavioral problem. He is a very

sensitive child so when people ask him to repeat himself he will just

shut down, which is frustrating to me and his teachers as well. He

does interact w/ other kids but only after he's grown comfortable. He

went to Pre-K for 4 months before he ever opened his mouth and then

the other kids were like " talks!!! " and then that scared him and

he quit talking. He still hasn't spoken to his teacher, but there are

times at home where I have to tell him to be quiet. I'm just scared

because next year he starts Kindergarten (all day) and he is soooo

behind on what he needs to know and I'm afraid of him being labeled

as " problamatic " or " slow " because those labels are hard to get rid

of. I have 2 other children a 6yo and a 2yo that completely over

power him aswell. My 2yo is already talking better that he is. My 6yo

is usually his interpreter. Any suggestions? Any suggestions would be

greatly appreciated.

Tara

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