What is Selective Mutism?

Does your child speak freely at home with people he or she is comfortable with, but freezes when talking with new people or new environments? If your child seems extremely shy over a long period of time, your child may have selective mutism. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in select social situations such as at school, at work, or in the community. People with selective mutism are typically able to speak freely with people and places they are comfortable in such as with familiar family and at home. 

What Treatment Looks Like

I have received specialized training to help your child with selective mutism. I use a combination of what I know with my background in speech therapy, parent child interaction therapy for children for selective mutism (PCIT-SM), and exposure therapy to help your child gain confidence and practice communicating. By providing in-home therapy, I am able to effectively and strategically work with your child to feel comfortable talking to me (a new adult) and eventually in varying environments at school, in the child's community, and in group sessions with other peers.  I will provide you with parent training and coaching to help with generalization of skills. 

If you suspect your child has selective mutism, don't hesitate to give me a call.

I would love to help! 

The Selective Mutism Association: 
https://www.selectivemutism.org/