𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺?!

Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder whereby a person can talk in some situations but they can't talk in other situations.

𝘼𝙣𝙭𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 is stopping them from talking sometimes.

The 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙯𝙚 part of the fight, flight, freeze response.

Most of us have been in a situation where we freeze and don't know what to say... it is uncomfortable, imagine that but 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.

Imagine, being in this state every day at school. It's not long before the child gets the label or identity as

"𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠"

now it feels even more impossible for them to talk.

And not only that... people don't understand. People assume they are being rude, or controlling, or stubborn.

It's not that they are are being controlling or any of the above by not talking, it's rather that they are 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.

There is a way out though, and children 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙎𝙈 (we see it happen all the time!) but do you know what the number 1 first key step is?

Understanding from those around them - family, friends and crucially the school. Educating everyone around the child on what SM is, clearing up those misconceptions is key.

If you want to learn more about SM, please follow our Facebook page, see our YouTube channel, and subscribe to our mailing list at the top of this page.

If you would like to discuss your child with one of our Selective Mutism therapists, just drop us a message here.

And lastly, if you're interested in our school training course, course for parents or course for friends and family, just click here for further info.