selective mutism/pre-school

[Anonymous]

My 4 and a half year old is a normal, happy, articulate child - except she will not speak in a group - i.e. if the teacher asks a question she will freeze and is not able to respond. She cannot respond to a question in a group - she freezes and just stares back. She can talk and interact normally at the lunch table, playground etc. I've realized she's not just "shy" and its not something that has improved over the school year (or really since she was 3). Any advice? Are there any specific specialists you'd recommend? nor sure where to start - appreciate any leads.

[Anonymous]

LEAP at the University of MD and Dolley Madison in VA both have speech programs.

St. Columba's or NCRC are inclusive preschools and highly sought after.

Selective mutism is pretty specific so if you suspect this, I would have her evaluated by a SLP.

[Anonymous]

My kid had that. Everyone thought it was autism, but I knew it was only around others. She's 30 now. She grew out if it slowly until age 12.

A lot if it had to do with a mild auditory processing issue.

[Anonymous]

It sounds so specific that it's more like a phobia or anxiety than a speech disorder. Maybe see if there are any good kids therapists near you? A couple months of therapy should knock it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds so specific that it's more like a phobia or anxiety than a speech disorder. Maybe see if there are any good kids therapists near you? A couple months of therapy should knock it out.

They are not mutually exclusive. Most likely neither will be knocked out by a couple of months of therapy, but here's hoping.

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/SelectiveMutism/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4 and a half year old is a normal, happy, articulate child - except she will not speak in a group - i.e. if the teacher asks a question she will freeze and is not able to respond. She cannot respond to a question in a group - she freezes and just stares back. She can talk and interact normally at the lunch table, playground etc. I've realized she's not just "shy" and its not something that has improved over the school year (or really since she was 3). Any advice? Are there any specific specialists you'd recommend? nor sure where to start - appreciate any leads.

Glad you've got s 'happy, normal' kid. Unlike the rest of us with miserable/mad kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 4 and a half year old is a normal, happy, articulate child - except she will not speak in a group - i.e. if the teacher asks a question she will freeze and is not able to respond. She cannot respond to a question in a group - she freezes and just stares back. She can talk and interact normally at the lunch table, playground etc. I've realized she's not just "shy" and its not something that has improved over the school year (or really since she was 3). Any advice? Are there any specific specialists you'd recommend? nor sure where to start - appreciate any leads.

Glad you've got s 'happy, normal' kid. Unlike the rest of us with miserable/mad kids.

What's your problem?

[Anonymous]

From today's Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/my-young-child-suddenly-stopped-speaking/2015/05/18/ee60f722-e539-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 4 and a half year old is a normal, happy, articulate child - except she will not speak in a group - i.e. if the teacher asks a question she will freeze and is not able to respond. She cannot respond to a question in a group - she freezes and just stares back. She can talk and interact normally at the lunch table, playground etc. I've realized she's not just "shy" and its not something that has improved over the school year (or really since she was 3). Any advice? Are there any specific specialists you'd recommend? nor sure where to start - appreciate any leads.

Glad you've got s 'happy, normal' kid. Unlike the rest of us with miserable/mad kids.

What's your problem?

My 'problem' is that's a dumbass thing to say on A SN forum. She posted on general parenting- and then we she got the vibe that it might s problem came over here with our abnormal/sad kids.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid with SM. You are doing the right thing looking into getting treatment. Unf there are not a lot of good treatment specialists in the DC area, from what we have seen. Check out childmind institute in new york city; we have seen a few therapists locally, and it has been a waste of time and money.

also, join this yahoo group
[e-mail]

There are also a few facebook groups for parents of SM kids