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Child Selective Mutism/Sensory/Anxiety - ASD

MrsR

Hi there, 

i'm new to the forum. I am just looking for any advice or info on peoples experience with Selective Mutism. Our 4 year old only talks directly to myself and my husband and will not speak directly to individuals outside of the family home, including in school (apart from her dinner lady?!) 

She is in Reception at school but for years she has always been anxious, and this was a problem in Pre-school, which she attended for a year before starting school. She was referred for SEN support at pre-school and Ed Psych referral, as she had significant anxiety, not particularly verbal and displayed some unusual behaviours. We never quite got there with the referral as she had to see the Paed first, who wasn't great and seems to have a bad reputation in our area, even amongst other child mental health professionals and teachers who are aware of him. He did say that she does seem to be suffering with ASD but def anxiety and likely some sensory issues. Also said he can't rule out ASD at this stage as may become more apparent.

School have since referred to Ed Psych and she has been having 50mins of play therapy at school, once a fortnight, which has now finished as was up until Xmas. They are trying to help build confidence, assess her behaviour a little and help with speech. We have final meeting with her next week. She also visited us at home as she wanted to do a motor skill assessment. 

so this is the stage we are at. What should we be looking to do. Get an EHCP? I know Salt were mentioned a while ago. Do you think speech therapy can Help. She spoke at 8-9 months and has always spoke well and clearly, with great range of vocab at home. Obviously It looks like the high anxiety has created the selective mutism and she struggles with social interaction, can react strangely when touched sometimes by adults or friends - she usually has strange facial expression in response and has to remove, coat/cardi or hairBand. Most extreme, she has stripped naked! She also licks and puts things in mouth - so loss sensory. 

We wonder if she is mildly ASD, poss aspergers. Or it's simply high anxiety, selective mutism as a result and some sensory problems. Poss developmental delay too, socially perhaps gross motor too. 

just had to write it all down on here, hope u dont mind! What should we look to push for next. How can we help her SM And anxiety. I have read not to draw attention to it and push her to speak. I know about "sliding in". We always boost her confidence, try to help her feel confident. Should she have a statement? What are your experiences of these issues?

Is Pageant still on here?! I read you were going through something very similar to us. How's it going?

any info or advice appreciated. I will order a SM book online. There are a few out there -  i have read a lot online but can anyone recommend a good book which gives tips on helping to overcome it. I know it's linked to high social anxiety - my little one is upset and really wants to speak. She has asked me for help and if I can fix it :-( 

Apologies for the poor grammar, on iphone!

  • I did see a video once where a child was helped with this in a school setting (apologies I can't post a link as I can't remember where or when it was from).  From memory the child was taken into the classroom by the parent when nobody else was there and once she had settled and was talking comfortably with the parent within the classroom setting, the teacher entered.  Gradually the teacher joined in with the activity the child was doing with the parent until the child was able to start talking to the teacher.  Once the child was confident talking to the teacher a classmate was added, and once she was able to talk comfortably with them a couple more classmates.  Then the child was gradually introduced to the whole class, the timing gradually being increased.  I think the whole process took a number of weeks, if my memory is accurate.  I expect you have come across similar methods in your reading but just thought I'd post it as it seemed to work in that case, in case it helps.

    With regards to the stripping off and strange reactions to being touched, that does sound like sensory issues and coupled with the anxiety and other issues it certainly wouldn't hurt to have her assessed for ASD.  My daughter had (and still has) some similar signs that I didn't think much of due to my lack of knowledge at the time (and possibly my own ASD, recently diagnosed) and is only now awaiting assessment at age 13.