Selective Mutism is a complex anxiety disorder that affects many children and adults around the world. For parents, watching their child struggle with Selective Mutism can be a challenging and isolating experience. In this article, we’ll share a personal story of a mother and her daughter who have been dealing with this disorder and the strategies that have helped them overcome it.
Personal Story
The mother in this story has a 7-year-old daughter who has been diagnosed with Selective Mutism. Her daughter is bilingual and initially, they thought that she was just shy when she didn’t want to speak with anybody in kindergarten. Over time, however, they began to notice that there were other symptoms that suggested that there was more going on than just shyness.
For example, it took more time to convince her to try new things she was not comfortable with, like riding a bike or jumping on a trampoline. Potty training was also a challenge, as she was resistant to using the toilet even though she didn’t want to wear diapers anymore. And while she spoke with most of the family members, there were a few that she wouldn’t speak with at all, mostly those who didn’t live in the same city and whom she didn’t spend much time with as a toddler.
It wasn’t until the family learned about Selective Mutism that they were able to put a name to their daughter’s condition. They discovered that Selective Mutism is a severe anxiety disorder that causes a child to be unable to speak in certain situations, despite being able to speak in others. They also learned that it is a relatively rare disorder that affects about 1 in 1,000 children.
Despite the challenges of dealing with Selective Mutism, the mother was determined to find ways to help her daughter. One of the most effective strategies they used was the “sliding in” method. This involved playing games with her daughter and one of her friends, where she had to speak something, like “Who´s there” board game. As long as the mother was there, her daughter felt comfortable playing the game and talking to her in front of her friend. The mother would ask a lot of questions to her daughter’s friend, like “what is your favorite color,” and then ask the same of her daughter. After a while, her daughter would “warm up” and start talking more and more.
Starting school
When it was time for her daughter to start school, the mother was concerned that her daughter would be labeled as the “girl who doesn’t speak.” To avoid this, she asked the teacher if it was okay for her to go to school with her daughter every day for two weeks so that she would have a chance to make friends and hopefully speak to them in the future. The teacher was okay with it, and the mother used the same “sliding in” method to help her daughter make friends and become more comfortable speaking in class.
While it’s been a long road for this family, they are finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Her daughter is slowly learning to speak more words and sentences with her teacher each day, and she’s becoming more comfortable speaking with her peers in class. For other parents who are dealing with Selective Mutism, the mother recommends finding a supportive therapist who can help you understand the disorder and provide effective strategies for helping your child overcome it. She also advises parents to be patient and persistent, as progress may be slow but it is possible.
Selective Mutism can be a challenging disorder to deal with, but there are effective strategies and treatments available that can help children overcome it. By using techniques like the “sliding in”method you can see improvements.
What is “sliding in” method?
The “sliding in” method is a technique commonly used in the treatment of selective mutism. It involves gradually introducing the child to situations where they may feel anxious or uncomfortable, while providing them with support and encouragement.
The idea behind this technique is to help the child build confidence and trust in their ability to communicate, while also reducing their anxiety and fear of speaking. By starting with small, low-pressure situations, such as playing games or talking with family members, the child can gradually work their way up to more challenging situations, such as speaking in front of a group or engaging in conversations with strangers.
The key to the sliding in method is to take things slowly and allow the child to set the pace. It’s important to provide them with plenty of positive feedback and reinforcement for even small steps of progress, while also respecting their boundaries and limitations.
The ultimate goal of the sliding in method is to help the child feel more comfortable and confident in their ability to communicate, while also reducing their anxiety and fear of speaking. While it can be a slow and challenging process, with patience and persistence, many children with selective mutism have been able to overcome their difficulties and develop strong communication skills.