Selective Mutism Network is a Non Profit Organization striving to spread awareness and educate the public about Selective Mutism. As a parent of two girls with this condition, I understand the struggle that parents go through.

 

Our goal at the Selective Mutism Network is to help as many children and adults find the right resources and support in their area. Working together to find the proper help for Selective Mutism is the only way to overcome this condition. We believe the main focus is to get the child comfortable, then work on the speaking part. School administrators and the teacher should lower the childs anxiety without forcing the child to speak.

 

Entering an unfamiliar setting for a child, like school or daycare may seem threatening or dangerous. The lower the anxiety, the better chance for a child to speak. They are also more likely to speak to other children than to adults. In some cases, the teacher is one of the last people to hear the child speak.  Some children shut down or appear frozen, and some children are so self conscious that they will not eat in front of others or will avoid using the restroom at school. For an adult dealing with Selective Mutism they may find it hard to do any public speaking. 

 

Our goal at SMN is to have parents, teachers, and school administrators work together. We have paperwork, along with a weekly customized goal chart. This chart will help the parent or any specialist track the progress of the child. Parents will provide the chart every Monday and the teacher will return it home on Friday's. The key is to intervene early. The sooner a child is helped to work through his/her fear of speaking the better.

We hope you join us by helping us find our children's voice.