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peawii
PeaNut
PeaNut 512,090
June 2011
Posts: 178
Layouts: 45
 |  Posted: 11/17/2012 4:21:53 PM
For those who have children with this, how hard is it to get it diagnosed. I've been reading into it and saw a video on Youtube from 20/20 and it was like I was watching my son. We have a dr. appt next week. tia for any advice. | |
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Ladybugb919
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 102,718
August 2003
Posts: 2,036
Layouts: 67
Loc: Sandusky, OH
 | Posted: 11/17/2012 10:28:00 PM
My dd was diagnosed when she was 4 by the school psychologist. When I would mention my concerns to her pediatrician, I was told there was nothing to worry about.
Her first year of preschool, dd did not talk to the other kids and only said two words to her teachers. Her second year, when she did not talk to the other kids or her teachers, one of the teachers said I needed to talk to the preschool administrator. She gave me a referral to the public school early childhood intervention specialist. Now I had talked to the admin the precious year about dd. The admin told me about her niece who had selective mutism but never offered me any help.
Through the public school early childhood intervention program, dd got the help she needed. I had to answer almost 700 questions about dd going all the way back to when I was pregnant with her. She was evaluated by the school psychologist and diagnosed with selective mutism.
She was placed on an IEP for the rest of the preschool year through the end of Kindergarten. She was enrolled in a communication class for a couple hours once a week for about three months. Someone also came to preschool to observe her once a week.
By the time she started Kindergarten, she showed so much improvement. Her teacher had not been aware of the IEP until I had mentioned it to her. Dd was doing so well that the teacher and I together decided to not have her pulled out of class once a week as stated in the IEP. By the end of Kindergarten, she was reading books in front of her class.
Dd is now 9 and has been able to overcome selective mutism in most situations. She still has moments when she is around strangers or family members that she hardly knows, that she will stiffen up and not talk.
How old is your son? You should check with your school system to see if they have a program that will help your son. |
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peawii
PeaNut
PeaNut 512,090
June 2011
Posts: 178
Layouts: 45
| Posted: 11/18/2012 9:38:31 AM
Thank you for your response Cheryl. My son who is 5 takes time to warm up to people. Last year he was in 4K and was quiet at first but became one of the most talkative kids in his class. This year so far has been a challenge. He is only nodding and pointing for teacher. He raises his hand and participates but no words. They say he is happy and involved with the class, yet no words. They had to do some state testing and he is in the bottom two of the whole school because he did not complete the verbal portions of the test. They made no attempt to let me help.
Last week the teacher asked him if he would tell last years teachers aide about his drawing and he nodded yes. The principal walked him down there and he talked to her! (4k and 5K are at the same school)
For parent teacher conferences the principal and social worker attended. They said they know for a fact he's not in the bottom two but that's the way it is. DH and I can't recall them saying anything positive and it sucks! My son is able to whisper to another boy in his class now as of last week. We kept saying it's a comfort thing and he's not doing it on purpose.
I scheduled a dr.s appt so we can get help. I don't want my son to be punished for something that's not his fault. At home my son is a chatter box and with family and friends too. But I also see him mute to strangers and in school. There are other family and friends where he is mute too. I am starting to believe it is more than shyness. That boy on 20/20 with selective mutism was so like my son.
I video taped my son and am going to show it to the teacher tomorrow. I asked him all kinds of questions and slipped in a few about why he's not able to get the words out. He said he's afraid of another boy hitting him, he said he wants to talk but he can't, I asked if there is anything he would like to ask the teacher and he had a lot of questions. He was so excited and wants to share this with her.
The school system doesn't seem to have a program for this. It's like they have never seen this. I posted on here in Sept. about my son not talking on the 3rd day of school/ time out drama/ if shyness is a choice. So this is the update. | |
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mikklynn
PeaAddict
PeaNut 294,285
January 2007
Posts: 1,515
Layouts: 1
Loc: Minnesota
 | Posted: 11/18/2012 9:59:11 AM
I am so happy that SM is becoming more well-known. My granddaughter had a new day care provider who was a former Kindergarten teacher and she suggested it was SM. She gave my DIL the website info and like you said, it was like exactly like my granddaughter. My DS and DIL started with their pediatrician and received a referral to a psychologist. Miai is 9 now and doing much better, but still has situations where she is unable to speak. She is doing great at school.
I am still amazed at the doctors who say not to worry. Parents know their children!
Edited for typo |
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iteach3rdgrade
AncestralPea
PeaNut 247,320
February 2006
Posts: 4,635
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 11/18/2012 12:23:25 PM
What might it look like for a third grader?
If a student never talks except for a question for the teacher as in walking up to the teacher, or an answer once in awhile in front of the class, but may talk to a friend at recess, is this something to consider?
I've never had such a quiet student before. Even with parents talking to me the student won't talk in front of me. Students is the complete opposite at home.
Academics aren't really affected by this. Now I'm wondering if there's something more than just being quiet. | |
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slkmommy
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 266,020
June 2006
Posts: 2,551
Layouts: 0
Loc: freedom, pa
| Posted: 11/18/2012 2:27:40 PM
I was probably 18 years old and the little granddaughter of the people across the street had a reputation of "not talking". Even to her grandparents.
One afternoon walking from church and Sunday school I turned and noticed her following me...I could see she was struggling to keep her composure. It seems her parents and grandparents had confusion on who was to meet her, and no one had..she was probably 8 years old...knew I lived by her grandparents and was following me...
It was so previous...she finally built up the strength to say "hey lady! Do you know where my mom is?"
I could have hugged her on the spot. She took my hand and I walked her home
That was 30+ years ago |
sherri
Like my opinion really counts anyway... | |
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Leone
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 27,235
January 2002
Posts: 5,807
Layouts: 0
Loc: Margaritaville at The Islands (Gilbert, AZ)
 | Posted: 11/18/2012 2:44:27 PM
In my thirty years of teaching, I only encountered it once. | |
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mikklynn
PeaAddict
PeaNut 294,285
January 2007
Posts: 1,515
Layouts: 1
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 11/18/2012 2:44:44 PM
My granddaughter is in 3rd grade. She is able to talk to her teacher in class, after a lot of therapy and an anti-anxiety med. However, if we ran into the teacher at the mall, she would not be able to talk to her. It seems to be new situations that really cause her to freeze.
Miai has always been able to talk to me and my DH, but does not speak to her other grandparents that she sees only a few times per year. She can talk to children, especially if they are off by themselves. If an adult approaches, she will stop. It takes her a long time to be able to talk to adults, such as neighbors. They are all thrilled when she finally talks to them.
She won't even make eye contact with a new adult. There is hope, she has made amazing progress. |
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