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 professionalssuch 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A Sigh of Relief and a plan for Hope!
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
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
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
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!!!
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!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Selective mutism, or refusal or unwillingness to speak in certain situations or settings, poses a particular challenge to educators and other school-based professionals. In many cases, school personnel are on the front lines of assessment and treatment for these children and must help them succeed in an academic setting. This can be difficult considering that many school-based professionals are pressed for time and resources.

Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents: A Guide for School-based Professionals provides information that can help readers better understand and combat selective mutism. Written for guidance counselors, teachers, principals and deans, school psychologists, and school-based social workers, this book educates readers about the nature of selective mutism and its most common clinical manifestations (such as social anxiety, oppositional behavior, and communication difficulties). Offering methods to determine the form and function of a child's chronically mute behavior, the book provides evidence-based strategies to enhance a child's verbal participation at school and in other social and academic activities. The chapters provide advice for working collaboratively with parents, preventing relapse, and tackling special issues. Easy-to-read and conversational in style, Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents offers numerous visuals, handouts, case vignettes, and FAQs. The book is an essential resource for educators faced with children with selective mutism, as well as other professionals who work with this population, including clinical child psychologists and psychiatrists, social workers, and pediatricians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The Selective Mutism Resource Manual
As a social worker for over thirteen years, this bookis by far the best book out there on this subject. Regardless if you are in the mental health field , in the school system or a parent if you need to help a child or adolescent with Selective Mutism.... look no further this is thee book.

I highly recommend this book
This book is an extremely helpful reference for working with children who have been diagnosed with Selective Mutism. The book provides a framework for developing a program to assist the child. It helps the therapist structure a program that leads the child through a gradual process of overcoming anxiety with speaking. The suggestions are easily implemented within the school setting. The activities suggested are fun and entertaining for the child. Even more important -- the stragegies work!

great resource
This is a great resource for a parent or anyone facing the challenge of Selective Mutism.

Excellent Resource
I wish I would have started with this book as well, but was put off by the price. Considering how much we've spent on therapy, the price now seems insignificant considering the value of the information this book contains.

I should have started with this book
This is a fabulous book for ANYONE working with a child that has selective mutism.I should have read this book first...it's a great reference and a must have! ... Read more

Product Description
The supplement to The Silence Within contains a Form IEP to use as a guide to properly written goals and objectives developed specifically for selective mutism. This very useful book provides the user with many other useful forms including Classroom Strategies for the Teacher, Ranking Fears, Goals, School Communication, School Information Sheet and songs and poetry to use in an intervention. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not the first book to buy.Better for professional than parents...
If you are new in the topic, this is not one of the first books you should buy, there are other books more complete, you can search inside the books. This is a book for professional not for parents.

Great Resource!!!
Wow! This is just what I needed! This will help me to prepare counseling goals for my student with SM, suggest classroom accomodations to her teacher to reduce her level of stress, and provide her parents with ideas for helping her to deal with her anxiety outside of school. I do plan to read the whole book, as well, but the supplement for parents and educators has given me some very practical and insightful material to work with right away. I'll be ready to go on Monday!

Not What I Expected . . .
This was just not what I had expected especially for the price.I am not criticizing the content - it just did not meet my needs.
Thank You.

Great Value
What a wonderful resource! I have recently starting working with a student diagnosed with selective mutism but have been at a loss as to how to write the IEP objectives. This publication is exactly what I needed... I had the right content but needed the correct wording. This is a lifesaver for busy speech-language pathologists!
... Read more

Product Description
In this book you will meet Dylan, a smart, energetic 7-year-old who shares what it's like to be a child with Selective Mutism. Follow him as he tells his story and his struggles so that other children, parents, teachers and caregivers can understand what it's like to live with a fear of speaking. Why Dylan Doesn't Talk sensitively portrays the internal struggle and isolation that a child with this rare disorder endures on a daily basis. The photographs and text beautifully complement each other to help young readers vividly identify with the author's son, Dylan. Inspired by a need to find ways to communicate with her child, the author has written an excellent book that is both informative and therapeutic for children and their parents. An invaluable resource for teachers and mental health professionals. An excellent resource filled with questions to help children and parents communicate and to better help them discuss this sensitive topic that may otherwise be hard for children to express on their own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

OUTSTANDING
I bought this book to try and understand my grandson's struggle with selective mutism.I was so amazed to actually see how my grandson truly feels. His difficulty to communicate even at a party is much clearer to me now that I've read this book. My grandson and I sat down together and read the book page by page.He actually seamed "content" (comforted) with himself as we read about the trialshe faces each day. It was almost as if he was relieved, knowing he didn't have to tell me his feelings but that I now know how he feels. There were also some very good suggestions on how to help children deal with their struggles,such as having speach cards to answer waitresses etc.I would highly recommend this book to anyone intersted in SM or knows someone who has SM.P.S.The pictures are adorable in the book too! :) ... Read more

Product Description
"Selective mutism in children is characterized by persistent refusal to speak in one or more social situations (e.g., at school or among strangers), notwithstanding the demonstrated ability to use language at home. The range of treatment options has recently expanded to include promising behavioral, psychopharmacological, and multi-modal approaches in addition to psychodynamic and family systems therapy. Toward overcoming the traditional intractability of the disorder, the authors exhort clinicians - psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, counselors, social workers - to familiarize themselves with all of the options in order to expand their repertoires and individualize treatment strategies. Comprehensive in scope, this book presents the major therapeutic approaches and offers alternatives to professionals working with selectively mute children." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Horrible title
Simply the title of this book makes me not want to purchase it. Selective Mutism is NOT a refusal to speak in social situations. Children with SM are not being defiant or refusing to speak, the are physically unable to speak in certain social situations. I did not nor would I waste money on this book, the title says it all..I'm sure it is as mis-guided as the other reviews say it is.
My child has selective mutism, this book should be removed from Amazon.

Review of Refusal to Speak
This book contains a collection of articles from the selective mutism literature up to the year 1995.With the exception of a few articles that are scientifically valid, the book is a compilation of misguided information.Even the title is misleading in that selective mutism has been defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a "failure" to speak and not a refusal to speak.Most of the new literature supporting the concept that selective mutism is an involuntary response to anxiety is absent.

Be kind and helpful. See books about shyness.
Look up books using the keyword, shyness. Here are some I found at amazon.com

Buster: The Very Shy Dog by Lisze Bechtold(Illustrator)

Let's Talk About Being Shy (The Let's Talk Library) by Marianne Johnston

J. Rooker, Manatee by Jan Haley, Paul Brent(Illustrator)

The Shy Child : A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Overcoming Shyness from Infancy to Adulthood by Philip G. Zimbardo, Shirley L. Radl

These can be helpful. The book I'm reviewing IS more HARMFUL than helpful. I didn't order it. I read it at a library. It is awful and would increase feelings of inadequacy, anger, etc. which can make a person shy.

School, insurance programs, medical programs, and so forth make a lot of money by having kids diagnosed so they can get money from the government. Remember, "the government" is our tax dollars and many of these dollars are spent unwisely!

Buy some of the other great books at amazon.com about shyness but don't get this one!

refusal to speak
This book is a nightmare!The editors ignore current literature in a seeming effort to further misinformation about a difficult to treat disorder.They are almost as guilty of child abuse as the clinicians who"treated" June and Jennifer Gibbons: identical twins with SM,born in 1965 in England.(It was the CLINICIANS who created the 'monsters'in the girls through their ignorance!)SM is a physiologically-basedanxiety disorder and as such must be treated with behavior mod. and/ ormeds and COMPASSION for those afflicted! ... Read more

Product Description
There have been important developments in the study and treatment of selective mutism during the ten years since the first edition of this book was published. Understanding of the subject has improved more dramatically than in any period since the phenomenon of children who talk readily in some situations but not in others was first recognised over a century ago.

The second edition of this practical book reports recent developments in medication and combined therapies. New findings on the links between social anxiety, biological and genetic factors and selective mutism are described. At the same time the authors remain committed to understanding this pattern of behaviour in its full social context in family and community and to employing behavioural approaches to intervention alongside other methods.

This is the fullest and most authoritative book-length account of selective mutism in print. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

WHatever happened to shyness?
Schools get money for special education when they label kids. Treat the kid like she or he is shy! THis book is awful. THe only reason for getting it would be to disregard everything it says.

Don't Read it
This is by far the most awful book I have ever read.It is poorly written and poorly researched.Throughout the entire book, the child is treated as an object to be controlled rather than an indivdual person whose needs should be considered.The author is clearly very ignorant of selective mutism, and the book is based on common stereotypes rather than genuine knowledge and facts.Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder/phobia, and these children deserve to be treated with therapy appropiate to phobias.The methods desribed in this book are manipulative and cruel, and in some cases outright child abuse. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is written from the point of view of a child who has Selective Mutism. Selective Mutism is a condition that affects about 1% of the population of children. This condition has been more studied and it is connected with social anxiety. This book is a guide to parents, children, and educators to understand what Selective Mutism is, and it provides some suggestions of strategies on how to help the child become more comfortable at school and in other places where he/she feels anxious. Margaret Scott's illustrations help children relate to the feelings portrayed in the book. This book can be used at home, at school, at a psychologist office, and with extended members of family. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a DVD package that includes:2-hour power point presentation by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum; An audio CD of the presentation to listen to in the car or in any CD player; PDF handout of the presentation. Presentation is updated version of Selective Mutism conference materials. Description: School is not the only setting that is difficult for the child/teen with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Disorder. Socializing & communicating in public settings can be anxiety provoking and/or challenging for our children/teens. To help the child suffering in silence, parents, professionals and educators need to understand that children/teens with SM often have difficulty communicating nonverbally. Some may 'whisper' thru a parent or make sounds and some may shut down and therefore, not communicate at all when they sense an expectation for speech and communication. In addition, social comfort and communication will vary depending on the setting and individuals present in that setting. This presentation will begin with background information on the SM Stages of Social Communication Scale; The use of the Social Communication Anxiety Inventory (SCAI) to assess a child's social communication skills from setting to setting; causitive/maintaing factors of SM and the characteristics of children with SM and the importance of understanding the child's unique needs when developing strategies/interventions for the REAL WORLD. A discussion of the Social Communication Bridge will be mentioned to highlight the importance of the child's social communication level (noncommunicative, nonverbal, transitional or verbal) within the social environments the child encountersInformation on HOW to determine the child's social communication baseline skills (i.e., is the child noncommunicative? Nonverbal? In the Verbal Transition stage (whispering, making sounds, etc.) or Verbal) in particular social settings will be discussed. Specific strategies and interventions to help the child feel ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Clinical Psychiatry News, published by International Medical News Group on October 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1162 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: CBT, medication give voice to selective mutism. (Closely Related to Social Anxiety).(cognitive-behavioral therapy)
Author: Robert Finn
Publication: Clinical Psychiatry News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 30Issue: 10Page: 56(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
The purpose of this presentation is to address the common questions of: 'Why/When/How-to-use'medication effectively and safely in the treatment of Selective Mutism of Social Anxiety DisorderStudies indicate that the best form of treatment is a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. This lecture will address such questions asWhy and When to CONSIDER the use of medication? What type of medication to use? How to minimize side effects, how should dosing be done? How long should a child remain on medication and how to wean off medication effectively?Case discussion examples will be presented. There will be a Question/Answer Session during the Web Seminar. From SMart Center data, medication intolerance is often due to mismanagement of medication usage. poor monitoring and disregard for side effects. Goals for this presentation are to help parents and professionals understand medication so that if a decision needs to be made as to whether to use medication,parents are well informed and confident with their decision as to use or not use medication in their child's treatment. The presentation is 106 min (1 hour, 46 min).Product includes: DVD Power Point Presentation by Dr. Elisa Shipon-BlumAudio CD of presentation (to play in car or any CD player!)PDF handout of presentation ... Read more

Product Description
Kim's husband loses the use of his muscles-and also his voice; due to A.L.S., a cruel terminal disease which robs the body of everything except sexuality and intellect. All her life Kim has struggled with communication. Now that her husband has lost his voice, she must find her own. A memoir that will have you crying and laughing. You won't soon forget it! ... Read more

Product Description

The “Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders” is a comprehensive two-volume set providing detailed information on mental disorders and conditions, in an easy-to-use format. It includes entries for all 150 disorders classified in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” and also features entries for prescription, alternative and over-the-counter drugs, as well as the various therapies used to treat mental disorders.

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Pediatric News, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1411 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Spotting selective mutism.(Behavioral Consult)
Author: Barbara J. Howard
Publication: Pediatric News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 41Issue: 8Page: 30(2)

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Product Description
The Selective Mutism Medical Guide is a publication which has been designed to better help readers understand Selective Mutism. This Qontro Medical Guide has been designed with the reader in mind, and is a useful information source for readers at all levels looking to learn more about Selective Mutism. The Selective Mutism Medical Guide is highly recommended for those interested in understanding and learning more about Selective Mutism. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by Thomson Gale on August 15, 2007. The length of the article is 787 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Listen for the sounds of silence: selective mutism.(Mental Health)
Author: Betsy Bates
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 15, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 37Issue: 16Page: 24(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more