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.

Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents: A Guide for School-based Professionals provides information that can help readers to better understand and combat selective mutism, offering evidence-based strategies for enhancing a child's verbal participation at school and in other types of social and academic activities.

Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder characterised by a child's inability to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure, and relaxed. Most children with selective mutism also have social phobia or social anxiety: they fear social interactions where there is an expectation to speak and communicate. Finding Your Voice highlights the different challenges a child with selective mutism might face, and provides effective, research-based behavioural intervention plans. Tips for engaging and motivating children are provided, focusing on a gradual, step-wise approach to increased speech, as well as fun and engaging activities that can be used at each step of treatment.

Treatment for Children with Selective Mutism outlines the sequence and essential elements to guide clinicians through a comprehensive, integrated program for young children who display symptoms of SM.

This beautifully illustrated and positive book is an excellent aid and therapeutic tool for both therapists and parents of primary-age children with selective mutism. Selectively mute children who are aged 6 years and over can also read this book themselves or with an adult. The book opens with a section for adults to read before presenting the story to the child, explaining how best to use the book and the therapeutic approach to helping children with selective mutism, as well as including useful discussion questions. Eliza's charming story then follows. In the first half, Eliza describes how she feels in different situations, both at home and at school - feelings that will resonate with many children with selective mutism. In the second half, we discover how she begins to overcome her fear with small steps and easy methods that parents and therapists can adopt. With delightful artwork, this story will help children with selective mutism feel as though they are not alone, as well as offering parents and professionals a way to begin a conversation with the child about their selective mutism and suggest the steps to help them. About the Author Lucy Nathanson is a child therapist and the founder of Confident Children. Lucy is passionate about helping children with selective mutism. She works directly with children and makes videos with the aim of spreading awareness of selective mutism. On an international level, Lucy speaks at conferences and provides support and guidance to parents and professionals. She is the author of Understanding Selective Mutism: A Beginner's Guide.

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.

My name is Ben and I don't talk sometimes is a story about a child's experience of selective mutism, in his words. Ben takes us on a journey of how he feels across situations - at his birthday party, with people he's unable to talk to, on playdates and at school. Through the story, we also learn that Ben's best friend has a fear of swimming and by taking small steps he works to overcome this. Ben shares, in a child-friendly way, his feelings around talking and interwoven into the story is the intervention of how he begins to make steps forward. Parents and professionals can use this book as a therapeutic tool to begin a dialogue with children about selective mutism. The story is suitable for children aged 6 years and over. Through beautiful illustrations, children will identify with Ben, realising that they are not alone; thus allowing for a conversation to begin about their difficulty with talking, as well as the steps to help them. About the Author Lucy Nathanson is a child therapist and founder of Confident Children. Lucy is passionate about helping children with selective mutism. She works directly with children and makes videos with the aim of spreading awareness of selective mutism. On an international level, Lucy speaks at conferences and provides support and guidance to parents and professionals. She is the author of Understanding Selective Mutism: A Beginner's Guide, My Name is Eliza and I don't talk at school and Why doesn't Alice talk at school? Find out more at www.confidentchildren.co.uk