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Selective Mutism - any advice?

Pageant

Hello everyone,

My eight year old daughter is soon to be assessed for ASD and I expect there will be a diagnosis of ASD/Aspergers.

One of the most significant problems she faces is selective mutism.  She is terrified of talking to people she doesn't know well (i.e. everyone except parents, brother and one friend she made at her old school).  Even Grandma/Grandad have trouble getting her to speak, although she speaks freely with her immediate family.  Everything I've read suggests it's an anxiety response and she is extremely self-conscious in general.  With us though, she's a different girl - happy, funny and giggly a lot of the time.  She'll occasionally be like this with others, but it's fleeting and never seems to last.

Anyone got any ideas for how to help?  I've read a lot about selective mutism unrelated to autism, but the strategies there suggest something more of a pure phobia about speaking.  With my daughter, I think it's different - it's anxiety about social communication (not surprisingly)...  I'm worried it could get worse, but don't know how to stem the tide of any regression (mercifully, she just recently started talking to her childminder again who she goes to once a week, but I've been worried there's been a general regressive trend lately, aside from this).

Any ideas would be very welcome.  Autism-related literature on the subject is thin on the ground - or I'm looking in the wrong places....

Parents

  • hi get help for your daughter who has selective mutism as soon as possible. Speak to the school and push them to help. I am 43 year old woman who has suffered from selective mutism,social anxiety social phobia and have aspergers which hasnt been properly diagnosed yet. i suffered greatly at school,nursery,work and social situations. I so wanted to speak and make friends but wasnt able to. I had no help or support or understanding whatsoever. i was left isolated and unable to function which led me to have severe anxiety and depression and thus i tried to end my life twice. I live with my elderly dad and unable to cope or manage independant living and you dont want this to happen to your daughter if she is unable to talk to people. Its good tho she can talk to close family members. Now i just talk to my dad as i dont have any family. I progressed a bit as i do 3 afternoons at a charity shop and have 1 close friend now. Sorry for rambling. Hope this helps a bit!

Reply

  • hi get help for your daughter who has selective mutism as soon as possible. Speak to the school and push them to help. I am 43 year old woman who has suffered from selective mutism,social anxiety social phobia and have aspergers which hasnt been properly diagnosed yet. i suffered greatly at school,nursery,work and social situations. I so wanted to speak and make friends but wasnt able to. I had no help or support or understanding whatsoever. i was left isolated and unable to function which led me to have severe anxiety and depression and thus i tried to end my life twice. I live with my elderly dad and unable to cope or manage independant living and you dont want this to happen to your daughter if she is unable to talk to people. Its good tho she can talk to close family members. Now i just talk to my dad as i dont have any family. I progressed a bit as i do 3 afternoons at a charity shop and have 1 close friend now. Sorry for rambling. Hope this helps a bit!

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