As the summer is quickly winding down and the back-to-school season is approaching, it seems that everywhere we look, we are constantly reminded of the worries and excitements of this time of year through tv commercials, flyers, and radio ads. For families affected by selective mutism, this can be an extremely stressful time of year. Not only do they share the same worries as the typical parent of school-aged children, but they must also worry about things that most parents take for granted, such as how their child will make friends, ask to use the washroom, or tell someone if they hurt themselves on the playground. Having a supportive and understanding teacher during this time can definitely mean the difference between the child having a terrible or manageable experience at school. That being said, it can sometimes be difficult for teachers of students with selective mutism to understand and help someone living with this disorder. I have therefore compiled a list of tips that could potentially help teachers understand and manage having a student with this disorder in their classroom. Do your research: In order to completely understand a student with selective mutism's behavior and actions, it is essential that you are familiar with both the diagnosis as well as how it effects that specific student. There are many excellent sources online that explain what selective mutism is and how it may affect people. That being said, every selectively mute student is different, so I highly recommend setting up a meeting with the student's parents prior to the first day of school and discussing different aspects of the disorder. Some good things to talk about would be:
Make an effort to give your student with selective mutism a sense of connection: One common misconception that many people with selective mutism face is that people believe that because they don't talk, they do not want to be spoken to. In many circumstances, this is not true at all. Just like every other child in your classroom, children with selective mutism crave connection towards their teacher and peers. Unlike the majority of students, whose sense of belonging and connection happens naturally in the classroom, students with selective mutism may have a difficult time connecting with others as a result of extreme anxiety. There are many things that you can do to increase a students sense of belonging in the classroom. By preforming these simple tasks, you can significantly improve the student's mood and comfort level while they are at school:
DOs and DONTs
I have had teachers that have had a tremendous impact on my life by following these steps, and I hope that they can help other students with selective mutism as well. As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
4 Comments
Frances Savoie
8/7/2015 06:58:34 am
A well-written, informative article, Lauren. Thank you!
Reply
Teresa Farlow
8/8/2015 06:30:45 am
Thank you!! Exactly the kind of information I've been trying to find to share with my sons teachers as he enters jr high where noone knows him or his condition.
Reply
Tan
8/8/2015 09:29:25 am
Thank you xxx
Reply
Heather Pope
8/13/2015 11:11:50 am
You are an amazing young lady Lauren! You've done a great job putting a "voice" to selective mutism.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
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
Categories |