Selective Mutes

Questions to ask:

Are they shy?Are they depressed?

Are they Anxious or Nervous?

Could be related to Cognitive Disability, Language Impairment, or Emotional Distress.

Most common in first two years of school. These children know that they are afraid but can’t explain why. Could be related to temperament

Hold private conferences. Validate their fear. Invite the child to speak with a friend, on tape recorder, behind something, or in safe settings. Review Anxiety Hierarchy. Begin with Non verbal nodding , gestures, by saying yes or no to whispering to a classmate and then to teachers ear. Do not insist on eye contact. Try singing.

– Gene Bedley