<![CDATA[All About Selective Mutism]]>my DD1 has always been very chatty, active, playful... like any normal kids

but once she goes to sch, she will remain slient for as long as she's there...
even while playing, she has no problem sharing things with her classmates but not talking at all.. when her classmates talks to her, she doesnt reply..

we always think that she hasnt warm up to the place as such been encouraging her to speak up and we have been waiting to see improvement.. but as time files, her teachers, we as parents are worried if there's anything wrong somewhere..

People who know her situations always tell us to seek professional help as
they keep saying she is autistic but we know she is not..

today i manage to google some info which happen to let me come across an article about selective mutism that seems to be describing my ger is..
I further read it up at wikipedia..

for those who wish to read the link is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_mutism

I wonder if there's any mummies who have similar experience so that I can learn more or if not any mummies know of any professional that we can seek help from..

Thanks for reading the long post.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/23015/all-about-selective-mutismRSS for NodeSat, 02 May 2026 17:29:54 GMTSun, 12 Jun 2011 14:08:57 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:14:20 GMT]]>My daughter was diagnosed with selective mutism when she was around 5-6 years old. She is in the mainstream school. She was not really talking much in kindergarten and P1. But beginning of P2, she started to respond to her teachers and chat with her friends in class. Now she is in upp pri, there is not much of a problem communicating with others, but she still has episodes whereby she may be mute - when the situation gets stressful for her (e.g. visiting the dentist for extraction).

I actually published a children storybook on selective mutism. It is more suitable for kids around 4-9 years old.

The story is about a little girl with selective mutism the struggles she faces with speaking in school. How through support, and small steps, she gradually learns to express herself and gain confidence in her own way.

I did this book because I thought it may help the younger kids understand what they are going through and hopefully help them to gain confidence and hope that they too can overcome this condition one day.

If anyone is keen to have a look at the book, it is available on Amazon (The Lost Voice) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF84QRM3

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2138382https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2138382Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:14:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Sun, 16 Jul 2023 21:21:13 GMT]]>Hi, this term Selective Mutism is new to me and is suggested to me by my son’s EIP teacher.

My son is 5yo this year (K1). He is very talkative at home to us parents. used to be in mandarin, but recently, he is also trying to talk to me alot in English. But in school, he is a totally different kid. Very quiet and doesn’t speak even when he needs help from the kindergarten teachers. He will resort to pointing and pulling the person. His kind of interaction with his classmates is also through touching and pulling his friends’ hands and often misinterpreted as being rude.
This has persisted since N1 and he has been with the same group of classmates for close to 3years now. We tried EIP lessons when he was ~3yo and stopped for a while. recently, we resumed EIP albeit with another centre. This time, the teacher actually suggested that my son could have selective mustim and the EIP lessons might not help him much in this aspect. She suggested that we go for Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT)

I’m writing in this forum as i know nuts about SM. First, i would like some recommendations on where i can get my son assessed on this, and then subsequently the treatment. Any tested and proven recommendations will be very much appreciated!

I heard about REACH but i have yet to reached out to them (pun intended).
Should i go Gov’t or private?

all advices are welcome~

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2113786https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2113786Sun, 16 Jul 2023 21:21:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:43:44 GMT]]>https://www.homage.sg/resources/autism-school-singapore/

Not to worry, many mainstream schools accept students w selective mutism as long as he/she is considered high functioning.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2071104https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2071104Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:43:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Fri, 13 May 2022 02:55:05 GMT]]>

enne\" post_id=\"1944021\" time=\"1572501915\" user_id=\"18363:

it has been 8 years since my first posting on this topic.
apologises to those who have PM-ed me but didn't get a reply from me.

to update on DD1 status

We brought her to see a psychologist or speech therapist (can't recall exactly as it's so long ago) but it was not as helpful as we had thought.

During the sessions, drawings and games were used to \"open\" her up and also as a way for them to understand her thoughts etc. Eventually we stopped going after a few sessions as we don't see any improvement at all. We just stopped and see how it goes at that point of time.

At that time, the situation was quite bad that the teachers in kindergarten suggested to getting a psychologist to come to the class and monitor her behaviour etc. But when she was in K2, there was a very patient teacher who really took extra care on her and eventually she made my girl open up.

Although it is a really slow process, she eventually get better when she went to Pri sch. She is now a very talkative girl.


Thank you for sharing!!
My son now in k2 is diagnosed with selective mutism, I was guessing it could be due to pandemic and everyone is wearing masks and he cant see \"facial expressions\" which his teacher also agreed . He might be the only one having this SM in his class as well among his other 3 siblings(he's the youngest) Initially, I didn't bother much as I see he is doing well and he is usual self at home and when with comfortable surroundings even in public just like any other kids. As time goes by, mid K1, I did ask the teacher how was he doing and yes being a kiasu mum, am worried if he is able to communicate well and/or able to read. The teacher feedback positively about him ,only difference, when teacher asked he answered and not willing to speak up or volunteer any \"answers\" when teacher asked the class. He also don't voice out like example, he was unable to open his toothpaste cap but teacher saw him teary-eyed LOL. I was surprised as he is an independent one at home and also sent videos of his positive interactions at home and being chatty. So, I let the matter rest as I was worst than him when I was my toddler to primary yrs. People thought I was deaf/mute and even the report book in primary school always being remarked \"a good, quiet and girl\" LOL. HIs trait is just like mine but I am the eldest and hence lack of social skills being in a conservative family. I don't have many friends too up to secondary school years as I was an introvert.

I appreciate the PCF recommended my son for check up and enter the L&D programme. He will be starting in May/June and see how is he progressing. Currently, he is in flair programme as well. On my side, I already sending him phonics class already early this yr. The PCF is now moving to face shields for the teachers who are DS-LS & Flair programmes which I am glad .Hope my son is p1 ready soon!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2067334https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2067334Fri, 13 May 2022 02:55:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Wed, 11 May 2022 01:57:56 GMT]]>Hi everyone,

Spreading some freebies around!!
My colleague (Joleen) in the US is offering a Free Selective Mutism Online Summit!

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY! Selective Mutism H.E.L.P. has an upcoming FREE Selective Mutism Online Summit! If you or anyone in your family is affected by Selective Mutism, this Summit will give you tips from 12 different professionals about therapeutic interventions that are available. To register, go to http://www.smhelp.org/free-summit and make sure to select Joleen's name at registration!


Regards,
http://www.speechtherapyadventures.com.sg

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2067079https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2067079Wed, 11 May 2022 01:57:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 03 May 2022 16:30:11 GMT]]>This Mother's Day tribute video to mothers of special needs children \"虽然我说不出来 可是我的世界很精彩\" features this year's National School Wushu Championships Tai Chi champion 12 yr old 林主恩, who has selective mutism. :salute:


[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZhD6kQYfxM]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2066211https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2066211Tue, 03 May 2022 16:30:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:09:13 GMT]]>I just saw the show Wonder on Netflix. Although it feels like a kids show, the issues they dealt with, from shame from looking like a monster, bullying, to friendship and inter-family relationships, are all too real.


No it doesn’t solve anything for people suffering from selective mutism. But it’s definitely worth a look-see.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2064760https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2064760Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:09:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:06:52 GMT]]>Hi parents,


I am new to this forum and wanted to connect up with parents whose kids might hv SM, social anxiety, HFA, HSC, super shy, quiet etc.....

I am also hoping to set up playdates for my 8 yo son (undiagnosed), who is a quiet HSC (Highly Sensitive Child), doing well in school but unable to make any \"real\" friends. He fears speaking up to kids around his age but is highly motivated and willing to have social engagement with support.

Hoping to share and learn with you all!

Please let me know if your child is keen to connect up, we can arrange playdates together 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2064747https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2064747Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:06:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:57:41 GMT]]>Thanks guys!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060947https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060947Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:57:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:16:18 GMT]]>

Robert917\" post_id=\"2060199\" time=\"1646061024\" user_id=\"181456:

Hi all, my 5y son is suspected to have Selective Mutism. I have seen a few psychologists but seems many are not so experienced in dealing with SM cases. Can anyone give me some suggestions on experienced psychologist/therapist that I can talk to? I am planning to talk to a few of them and choose one that both me and my son are comfortable with.

Appreciate if anyone can share or PM me, thanks!
Hi Robert917,

In the interview https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=23015&p=2060432#p2060432, I came across this psychologist https://sg.linkedin.com/in/zhang-guiyue-4306b06b from NUH.

You may want to check out this webpage and give NUH a try:
https://www.nuh.com.sg/Health-Information/Diseases-Conditions/Pages/Selective-Mutism.aspx

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060434https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060434Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:16:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:11:18 GMT]]>From yesterday's 孩，好吗？segment of 狮城有约:

[quote]在家里有问必答。但来到陌生环境，孩子不发一语。这或许是害羞、是怕生，也可能是性格使然。但是，如果已过三到六个月，孩子依旧不开口，孩子可能患有选择性缄默症。选择性缄默症是一种社交焦虑障碍，患者有正常说话的能力，但在特定情境下就是开不了口，绝非选择不说话。身边人怎么看出端倪？又能给予什么帮助或治疗？[/quote][youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLBsgjmPr2I]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060432https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060432Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:11:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 03 Mar 2022 04:06:14 GMT]]>Hi Robert917,


There can be underlying reasons linked with Selective Mutism. These include speech and language abilities as well as the level of comfort your child is experiencing at the moment in time. I am a speech therapist that has seen a few cases of SM in the past and is currently seeing one. Do feel free to reach out at http://www.speechtherapyadventures.com.sg

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060429https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060429Thu, 03 Mar 2022 04:06:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:10:24 GMT]]>Hi all, my 5y son is suspected to have Selective Mutism. I have seen a few psychologists but seems many are not so experienced in dealing with SM cases. Can anyone give me some suggestions on experienced psychologist/therapist that I can talk to? I am planning to talk to a few of them and choose one that both me and my son are comfortable with.


Appreciate if anyone can share or PM me, thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060199https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2060199Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:10:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:43:59 GMT]]>Hi

Can pm me contact as well? Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2029131https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2029131Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:43:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:11:53 GMT]]>

Joanne25\" post_id=\"1953529\" time=\"1576583648\" user_id=\"165766:

Should I be worried that my child still can't pronounce words and just nod if you are asking something? My child is only 2 years old and 4 months and we have noticed that we rarely heard her making sounds or pronounce words.
Perhaps can try letting her listen to songs and sing along with her to see if it encourages her to sing along and make sounds.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962288https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962288Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:11:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:53:38 GMT]]>

Joanne25\" post_id=\"1953529\" time=\"1576583648\" user_id=\"165766:

Should I be worried that my child still can't pronounce words and just nod if you are asking something? My child is only 2 years old and 4 months and we have noticed that we rarely heard her making sounds or pronounce words.
Hi Joanne, one of my students was also non-speaking at 2 years+, he didn't call mama/papa but was generally very obedient so the parents didn't think it was a major issue. The parents only found it strange after they interacted with other speaking 2yr+ children. His mom sent him for a check-up and promptly began speech and occupational therapy. Now he's 5 years old and speaking fine. The diagnosis was mild autism, not a case of selective mutism.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962276https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962276Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:53:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:07:24 GMT]]>

Joanne25\" post_id=\"1953529\" time=\"1576583648\" user_id=\"165766:

Should I be worried that my child still can't pronounce words and just nod if you are asking something? My child is only 2 years old and 4 months and we have noticed that we rarely heard her making sounds or pronounce words.
Yes please check with your PD. Usually even late talkers would be babbling plenty of Ba or Ma sounds. And it is unusual for a girl to start talking late. Mostly the late talkers who start saying their first meaningful word >18m are boys.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1953532https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1953532Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:07:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:54:08 GMT]]>Should I be worried that my child still can’t pronounce words and just nod if you are asking something? My child is only 2 years old and 4 months and we have noticed that we rarely heard her making sounds or pronounce words.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1953529https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1953529Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:54:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:05:15 GMT]]>

enne\" post_id=\"443918\" time=\"1307887737\" user_id=\"18363:

my DD1 has always been very chatty, active, playful... like any normal kids
but once she goes to sch, she will remain slient for as long as she's there...
even while playing, she has no problem sharing things with her classmates but not talking at all.. when her classmates talks to her, she doesnt reply..

we always think that she hasnt warm up to the place as such been encouraging her to speak up and we have been waiting to see improvement.. but as time files, her teachers, we as parents are worried if there's anything wrong somewhere..

People who know her situations always tell us to seek professional help as
they keep saying she is autistic but we know she is not..

today i manage to google some info which happen to let me come across an article about selective mutism that seems to be describing my ger is..
I further read it up at wikipedia..

for those who wish to read the link is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_mutism

I wonder if there's any mummies who have similar experience so that I can learn more or if not any mummies know of any professional that we can seek help from..

Thanks for reading the long post.

it has been 8 years since my first posting on this topic.
apologises to those who have PM-ed me but didn't get a reply from me.

to update on DD1 status

We brought her to see a psychologist or speech therapist (can't recall exactly as it's so long ago) but it was not as helpful as we had thought.

During the sessions, drawings and games were used to \"open\" her up and also as a way for them to understand her thoughts etc. Eventually we stopped going after a few sessions as we don't see any improvement at all. We just stopped and see how it goes at that point of time.

At that time, the situation was quite bad that the teachers in kindergarten suggested to getting a psychologist to come to the class and monitor her behaviour etc. But when she was in K2, there was a very patient teacher who really took extra care on her and eventually she made my girl open up.

Although it is a really slow process, she eventually get better when she went to Pri sch. She is now a very talkative girl.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1944021https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1944021Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:05:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Wed, 02 Oct 2019 02:01:41 GMT]]>Hi,

Has anyone tried
https://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/
According to website, it is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just five days in the following areas:

Social and emotional difficulties
Auditory sensitivities
Anxiety and trauma related challenges
Inattention
Stressors that impact social engagement

Thanks

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1939280https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1939280Wed, 02 Oct 2019 02:01:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Sat, 21 Sep 2019 08:34:10 GMT]]>Hi Kay_Liz,

SM may not be the key issue here but perhaps the GDD. Have you tried approaching Feiyue? They did a good job with my godson who was as you’ve described your daughter.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1936391https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1936391Sat, 21 Sep 2019 08:34:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:23:59 GMT]]>Hi all, I suspect that my 6yo has selective mutism. I read up some information and realized that she displays some of the behaviours of having selective mutism.


She wouldn’t ask for help if she needed - eg. needs to go to the washroom but doesn’t speak up to ask permission. I am very worried she will pee in the classroom and it will become even more traumatizing for her.

Recently, i saw her classmate running after her and hitting her when he caught up with her. I can see she was very uneasy but she did not even dare to ask her friend to stop. This also made me worried if she gets bullied in school and never speaks up, she will always be a target.

I am really at my wit’s end and so tired bringing her to see professionals one after another but without a proper diagnosis or treatment. Because she also has GDD and is quite weak academically too, I had been focusing too much on school work that I realize, the main root of the problem isn’t her academic but as long as she is able to overcome her anxiety, she will definitely improve.

Does anyone know of a good doctor or therapy that I can bring her to? I am worried about it because she is going to Primary school next year.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1905884https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1905884Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:23:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Fri, 29 Mar 2019 04:34:54 GMT]]>Hello, I have a 6 year old piano student with SM. I’ve been teaching him for a few months, and I observed that he would never say hi, bye, or reply to any of my questions verbally. I understand from his mom that he’s very chatty at home, but when he’s outside, he doesn’t like talking to adults. Even in school, he would talk to his friends, but never with teachers.


He does communicate with me, in non-verbal ways. For instance, he will use his hands to answer me (e.g. if I ask how many counts, he will stick out the correct number of fingers), or if I give him a pencil, he will write out the correct answer for me. But speech is still not his preferred choice of communication.

Last month he finally said "Hello" to me, sadly it never happened again. I would really appreciate any tips on how to encourage SM kids to open up slowly to people outside their family.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1904195https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1904195Fri, 29 Mar 2019 04:34:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About Selective Mutism on Sat, 03 Jun 2017 08:46:30 GMT]]>My 3yo child talks very well at home, in church or playground or anywhere outside school. But when in school setting, she won’t talk at all. She told us she enjoyed the school and likes her friends and teacher. She usually reply them with nod or shake her head or smile when they talked to her. She has been in the school for almost 6 months. However there was once when I accompanied her to a school event, she spoked to her teacher once and that was the only once till now.

Anyone has recommendation on where to access if a child has SM?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1777556https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1777556Sat, 03 Jun 2017 08:46:30 GMT