Bravetalking - Selective Mutism

There may be situations where the school may not allow the parents to enter the premises. Specially with the Covid evolving it has become harder to enter the school. Some ideas could help you vocalize in school. The most important tool to address Selective Mutism is role play practice, practice and practice. Some ideas could help you vocalize in school without entering the school are explained below. If you or the therapist can enter the school, then the best and the most commonly used technique is called “Fading”. Most importantly, always try to arrive at school as early as they open. I progressed my child from talking at the entrance of the school to talking inside the school. The key is to remember to send the child talking while entering the school gate. Some steps to consider as below- While walking to the school from home I made sure she was talking all the way. Remember to use the PRIDE Skills. I also noticed exercise helps to reduce anxiety levels so instead of talking your child in a car or stroller try walking/ cycling or scootering. We played racing or catching game where when it was safe on the footpath. We talked about the trees, flowers, or cars on the way. We played games like “I Spy”. We sometimes sang songs along the way.Initially for about a month or more we sat outside the school playing games. When selecting the games make sure the child feels excited about the game and the game requires verbalising. My daughter loved doing Brain Quest questions and answers but here are some ideas for verbal games to play – SnapBrain QuestReading cards or books and talk about the storySpot it or doubleGo FishHangmanOld MaidFind the differences – books with find the difference puzzle between two images.UnoHangmanI Spy Initially, I found my daughter found it very hard to speak outside the school so started with some sounds or noises or blowing air. Some ideas for making noises – ClappingTapping different parts of the body objects aroundStompingAn easy way would be to play follow the leader and the child follows to make these sounds. Ideas for blowing air – (Apparently blowing air is first steps to talking)Bubbles Blow a cotton ball or a piece of Polystyrene with a strawBalloonsFree Candle appBlow Blow appBlow Ballon Pop app I used the blowing apps a lot. They were very handy as you can use them in any situation immediately when you see your child going mute. If possible, you could play running games just outside the school gate. Hide and seek was one our favourite games and it helped her relax. I planned with her if we are going to say ‘hi’, ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ to the teacher at the school gate. She selected one of the greetings just before we left for school. We did a role play and practised. Upon few minutes before arriving at the school I would ask her how she would like to greet the teacher again– ‘hi’, ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’. She would tell me her choice. When we reached the school gate, she started greeting the teachers. Initially, she struggled to say so we took few steps back away from the school till point she would feel comfortable to answer my greeting question again. Once she successfully answered we slowly moved closer to the gate. It is important to make the child feel successful and praise her for doing it. Always use the PRIDE Skills for any brave talking. For e.g. When she said “Hello” I would say “You said hello”. “Great using your brave voice” or “I love the way you said Hello to Ms. Rosy”. I planned a reward for which I would make sure I would give her at the gate immediately after she performed the task. She did whisper or say very softly but I still applauded her brave talking ignoring the volume of her voice. It was more important she spoke and over time she did develop the volume. Slowly it became a habit for her to greet the teacher in the mornings. Then we moved to next step. I would say a loud bye and wave at her from gate and she start responding back. Initially she would just do a gesture of a wave but within a week or so I heard say a loud “Bye mummy” to me from inside the school. Now she was quite comfortable asking her question at the gate to any teacher who would be there. I wanted her to ask the same question to her teacher in the class when she went inside. But somehow, she would not ask. So, I started making her ask the question to her class teacher at the school gate when I picked her up from school. That started working and continued with this for a couple of weeks.