Selective MutismA Presentation by Jackie Rosmini

SLC Magnet

Why Selective MutismMy interest in this disorder…

I had Selective Mutism when I was younger.

I am interested in psychological disorders.

I wanted to bring awareness to this disorder.

Thesis StatementA Need for Awareness

If Selective Mutism were given more attention…

• More education would be available in Selective Mutism.

•More treatment options would be known.

•Behavioral and social issues would be prevented later on down the road.

Many people are not aware what

Selective Mutism is.

Education is beneficial in bringing awareness to Selective Mutism.

Because… People will know what Selective Mutism is. People will know its causes. People will know its relation with other disorders to prevent

confusion.

Example:

"The difference between shyness and selective mutism is ability to function," Shipon-Blum said. "Shy children function. Children with

selective mutism have a difficulty socially, emotionally, academically." (“Good Morning America” 1)

Do YOU know what Selective Mutism is?

More treatment options would be available for Selective Mutism.

Such as… -Behavioral Modification

-Stimulus Fading-Self-Modeling Technique

These methods are most popular with children who cannot take medication.

Plus, children do not want to take medication!

V.S.

Medication Therapy

Behavioral and Social Issues can be prevented down the road.If left untreated, Selective Mutism can

lead to…-Depression -Anger Issues-Education ProblemsExample: Many teachers do not understand

Selective Mutism and they think the child is not talking on

purpose. "Sometimes there may be some form of trauma involved, but for children trauma can be triggered by something relatively small,"

Karen, mother of Selectively mute daughter Megan Coleman, says. "Starting school can in itself be traumatic." (Hewitson 1)

ConclusionEliminate ignorance so more

children can fly, not suffer!

….. He or she will NOT grow out of it. (Berent)

Works Cited Page

Berent, L.C.S.W., Jonathan. “Social Anxiety”

socialanxiety.com Berent Associates, n.d.

Web 15 Nov 2010 <http://www.social-anxiety.com/area-selective-mutism.html>.

"Selective Mutism: When Your Child Can't Speak." Good Morning America

27 March 2006: 1. Web. 13 Feb 2011.

<http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmericanFamily/story?id=1770308&page=1>.

Hewitson, Jesse. "Selective Mutism: Speaking Up for Silent Treatment."

Telegraph 16 April 2010: 1. Web. 13 Feb 2011.

<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/7589677/Selective-mutism-Speaking-up-for-silent-treatment.html>.