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Autism and selective mute

wood36

hi! jsut wonder if any of you have the same problems as my child.

My 8 yrs son has ASD. His previous speech therapist suspected he might also have selective mutism, as he speaks at home and in school but he is not able to speak in other situations at all.

But his CAMHS team looks think that no therapy is necessary for his selective mutism.

I am not convinced.

Any of you have similar case? How did you deal wtih? can I just leave it without any interventions for his selective mutism???

  

 

Parents

  • Does it cause any real problem? I hope you don't take offence at this, but neuro-typical people (non AS people) often talk for what can appear to someone with AS as no reason.

    Neuro-typical(NT) people chat to "socialise", about how someone is feeling, what they've been doing, what the weather is like, etc. It's reassuring for NT people, but for those on the Autistic spectrum can be confusing or distracting, and can make them feel pressured. We either shut down, or we can start talking and not know when to stop and let someone else speak. Either reaction is baffling to an NT who doesn't understand it.

    I have no experience of dealing with a child with mutism and was not mute as a child (although I didn't speak a lot at school) but from an Aspie point of view, I believe it might be better not to worry about it. Be aware that stress is causing it and do what you can to try to make him more at ease - for example going shopping at quieter times of day. Try not to show you are worried - act confident, to give him a role model. If someone tries to speak to him, wait briefly to see if he responds, and if not tell the person he is not feeling well at the moment. Don't try to make him speak and talk to him quietly and gently when you need to communicate with him.

    Another idea would be to buy him a cheap mobile phone and let him have this as a treat when you are out, and see if he can  text you if he wants to communicate. Might sound a bit silly, but we often deal better with visual communication than verbal communication. If he is struggling with reading and writing, perhaps you could teach him to use emojis to communicate with you? 

    Hope this is of some help 

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  • Does it cause any real problem? I hope you don't take offence at this, but neuro-typical people (non AS people) often talk for what can appear to someone with AS as no reason.

    Neuro-typical(NT) people chat to "socialise", about how someone is feeling, what they've been doing, what the weather is like, etc. It's reassuring for NT people, but for those on the Autistic spectrum can be confusing or distracting, and can make them feel pressured. We either shut down, or we can start talking and not know when to stop and let someone else speak. Either reaction is baffling to an NT who doesn't understand it.

    I have no experience of dealing with a child with mutism and was not mute as a child (although I didn't speak a lot at school) but from an Aspie point of view, I believe it might be better not to worry about it. Be aware that stress is causing it and do what you can to try to make him more at ease - for example going shopping at quieter times of day. Try not to show you are worried - act confident, to give him a role model. If someone tries to speak to him, wait briefly to see if he responds, and if not tell the person he is not feeling well at the moment. Don't try to make him speak and talk to him quietly and gently when you need to communicate with him.

    Another idea would be to buy him a cheap mobile phone and let him have this as a treat when you are out, and see if he can  text you if he wants to communicate. Might sound a bit silly, but we often deal better with visual communication than verbal communication. If he is struggling with reading and writing, perhaps you could teach him to use emojis to communicate with you? 

    Hope this is of some help 

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