As parents, classmates, and friends of someone with selective mutism, it can sometimes be difficult to understand how to help them best. You want to do everything you can to help, but at the same time, you do not want to do anything that could make them feel worse or cause them to regress. I am in no way criticizing your actions, because I can only imagine how hard it must be to know someone with this disorder. I have just, from experience, compiled a list of 5 things that I wish people close to me knew about interacting with someone who has selective mutism so that it could be easier on both the person with sm as well as their friends and family:
14 Comments
Helen Willis
7/20/2015 12:15:24 am
So well written Lauren. Thank you.
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jean cain
7/20/2015 04:20:42 am
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Frances Savoie
7/20/2015 09:11:00 am
Thank you, Lauren. You are an amazing person...you even take the time to educate people like myself; I have learned so much from you and I look forward to seeing you soon.
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Wanda
7/20/2015 09:15:10 am
Thanks for the information I will try my best to put it to work.
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Pam
7/20/2015 11:18:35 am
Thanks for writing this...awesome info and tips!!
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Rachel
7/20/2015 10:09:20 pm
Great information and very accurate. I'd like to add one more if that's ok.
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Fiona
7/21/2015 07:57:13 am
Just thank you
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LPK
7/21/2015 09:27:37 am
Hi Lauren,
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Thank you for sharing this. My daughter was diagnosed at 3 years old. I understood it immediately and read every book and article to help be aware and educated people who come in contact with my child. It's hard for people to undrstand sm. But I do,and it must have been hard to write this. I appreciate your be so strong to educated people!!!
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Louise Boulter
3/7/2016 08:59:05 am
Thank you Lauren for 'speaking' the words the help bring awareness to this diagnosis. Your powerful words are opening doors to people who do not understand, but who want to. Everyone suffers from some sort of mental health issue. Some are better at hiding it. Some are more visible. I wish you health and proper help. But most of all, I wish you understanding. xoxo
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Shelly Williams
4/12/2017 05:38:26 pm
Thank you Lauren! This is beautifully written and so helpful!!
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Rick
11/21/2017 12:39:19 am
Wow I cannot begin to tell you how much this article helped me. I am scared for my 14yr old son. My ex and I had an awful divorce and all 3 kids seemed to basically "come unglued". My girls are doing ok thankfully but my son is not....and I wasnt sure how to treat him. I think I need to write to him often and will do so thanks to you. I miss him so much. xo - Rick
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Polly Wilson
11/2/2019 04:49:23 am
Thank you for this post, my partner has SM and I am still learning how to be a better friend to him, especially when he is struggling w/ anxiety
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CategoriesAll About MeMy name is Lauren and I am 20 years old. I have an anxiety disorder called selective mutism that limits my ability to speak outside of my home. I believe that this disorder has touched me for a reason, and my life mission is to bring much needed awareness to this heartbreaking disorder. Welcome to my journey. Archives
January 2018
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