Reply to I need help with responses to relatives

Forum Index » Kids With Special Needs and Disabilities

Reply to "I need help with responses to relatives"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]I wouldn't worry about it OP.  What is the current thinking on selective mutism.  Is the child supposed to be catered to or accommodated, as in "what do you want to do today?  go to the zoo or go to a movie?  I'll draw a picture and you point to which one you want."  I'm not being facetious, just asking.  Because if the relatives are expected to accommodate, you need to inform them of that or it's a mutual frustration for everybody.  There is a chance that they will just end up ignoring her if they are shut down to the point of not asking any questions, and that's not good either.  I assume you have the best therapists you can find for this disorder.  Ask them how people who aren't parents are supposed to interact with your daughter.  I'm not sure that some of that coaxing from well-meaning grandparents is a bad thing if over time it might motivate your daughter in some way.  I don't know much about selective/elective mutism but if there is an elective component or a behavioral component than motivation is an important part of coming out of it I would think.  I do like the ideas of a letter or call before getting together, with information from the therapist added, as in "the therapists say for non-family members to interact such and so way with her--we are trying this to see if it help."  This way you bring them in on being part of the solution instead of mystified.  I think honestly your relatives don't know how to act around her.  I don't think I would know how to act around a child who won't speak unless I was told by the parents. I do have a friend whose child had selective mutism.  I am not sure they did the therapy route but in any case she is a very social tween right now who got over the problem.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics