Advice for parents
- Don't use pressure or bribes with a child to encourage speaking.
- If appropriate let your child know you understand they are scared to speak and have difficulty speaking at times.
- Don't praise your child publicly for speaking, as this can cause embarrassment. Children with anxiety and selective mutism often hate to be put in the spotlight and it is often far more appropriate if your child talks to continue as though nothing unusual has happened. If they bring to your attention that they spoke then in this case it is ok to praise them.
- Many children find non verbal communication equally as difficult as verbal communication - do not pressure a child to communicate if they are unable to.
- Stop putting your child in situations where they have to talk, and reassure them that nonverbal communication (such as smiling and waving) is fine until they feel better about talking - if they are able to.
- Don't avoid parties or family visits, but consider what environmental changes are necessary to make the situation more comfortable for the child.
- Give them love, support and patience.
- Practise being out and about in public situations that will encourage your child to feel relaxed and at ease speaking out loud around other people.
- Don't worry that progress seems slow..a small steps programme can take a long time to implement, as long as you are headed in the right direction!
- Ensure that the school and Senco have all the latest information from Smira on selective mutism and are aware of how to carry out a sliding in programme for your child.
- Try to ensure that people who are in contact with your child such as friends and family understand what selective mutism is and do not highlight speech or lack of speech with your child.
- Selective mutism affects young people and adults aswell as children.