First, selective mutism is a severe anxiety disorder that impacts children and teens. It can impact youth of any age. Also, some young adults develop selective mutism where they are unable to speak in certain social situations. Sometimes, children will stop speaking to classmates at school. Furthermore, teenagers may choose not to speak to relatives they do not see very often or siblings. Some teens also experience body image issues, self-harm, cutting, bulimia, eating disorder and simultaneous symptoms.
Often, selective mutism appears during childhood due to a stressor or anxiety. For some, a trauma or scary event triggers selective mutism. Unfortunately, if left untreated, selective mutism can limit social relationships and persist into adulthood. With limited verbal communication, children need a specialist in child therapy. Play therapy for children and teens with selective mutism helps promote healthy communication in ways beyond words.
Selective mutism specialized therapy for children and teenagers is available in creative ways at Wisdom Within Counseling. To begin, click the button below to book a phone consultation to learn about how we can help your child or teen build skills for selective mutism.
Why pick selective mutism specialized therapy for children and teenagers?
The therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling know how to step into an anxious child’s word and who won’t talk. Many children don’t speak because they have underly emotions that they can’t verbally share. For instance, a child may be upset after COVID-19 due to online school. Or, a teenager with selective mutism may me angry about a parent’s divorce. And, in therapy we teach positive tools for building trust in alternative ways to words and talking. As well, our therapists understand play therapy.
The team of therapists in Southeastern Connecticut specialize in relating to a child who is frustrated, sad, or anxious.
As well, we offer children and teens who don’t want to talk it out a safe place to draw, paint, use clay, and watercolors. Also, art therapies, yoga therapies, music therapies, and walking therapies in nature support trust and emotional confidence. Wisdom Within Counseling offers specialities beyond just talk counseling in a traditional sense.
Is my child just shy? Does my child have selective mutism?
To continue, some children are just shy. But, children with a selective mutism diagnosis are not just shy or quiet. They have a variety of symptoms that impact school and home negatively. For children with selective mutism, when they’re expected to talk to someone who’s outside their comfort zone, they will choose not to speak. As well, one sign that your child has selective mutism is the contrast in the child’s ability to engage with different people verbally. For example, a child with selective mutism will not verbally order off a menu for themselves. As well, selective mutism as a diagnosis characterized by a sudden vocal stillness. Sometimes, teens with also have frozen facial expressions. Some children may still show emotion, or some may stop showing emotion on their faces.
Why doesn’t my child speak when they are upset?
Many times, children become too anxious or insecure to speak when outside of their family home. As well, children who are not with their parents may talk less. Sometimes, parents get in a habit for speaking for their children when their children don’t talk. And, anxiety can get transferred to the adults who try to figure out why they aren’t talking. To add, some children with special needs, autism, speech and language disorders also go hand in hand with selective mutism as well. Furthermore, some children may have a hearing problem that triggers selective mutism. Hearing problems can make speaking even more stressful in public settings.
To continue, some children and teenagers have challenges processing sensory information such as loud noises.
Aslo, children with selective mutism may be highly sensitive children or people. On that note, children with selective mutism may be more overwhelmed from loud, jostling crowds. Lastly, children with selective mutism also can have sensory dysfunctions. Selective mutism is a diagnosis that means putting special accommodations in place for success. As well, these accommodations can be in an academic setting with teacher. Or, these accommodations may be at home or with friends.
To begin, click the button below to book a phone consultation to learn about how we can help your child or teen build coping skills for selective mutism and advocate for school accommodations.
How does a child develop selective mutism?
A stressful event like COVID-19 or the pandemic can trigger selective mutism. To add, moving, enduring divorce, or feeling pulled in conflict can cause selective mutism. As well, children may develop selective mutism due to a trauma or anxiety experience. Loss of a sibling, loss of a grandparent, or loss of a best friend can trigger a need for selective mutism therapy.
Also, the selective mutism diagnosis can cause a child to “shut down” and be unable to speak when overwhelmed.
Often, overwhelm and anxiety occurs in busy environments. Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut offers selective mutism specialized therapy for children and teenagers. Alternative art therapies and calming yoga therapies, and holistic therapies help bridge a language of trust beyond words. The therapists offer art therapies, yoga therapies, music therapies, and animal therapies to build verbal communication.
A child that receives selective mutism specialized therapy can learn positive coping skills to overcome the disorder.
Now, it’s important for selective mutism to be diagnosed by a professional sooner than later. For many, it is diagnosed in early school years. With therapy and resources, children, families and schools can team up and work together. Working together helps to reduce a child’s anxiety. At Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut, children and teens with selective mutism receive expert care and communication skills. We start by building a trusting relationship from bubbles, art, puzzles, walking by the beach, and more. As well, we don’t force a child to speak or talk, but allow them to go at their own pace. From a trusting relationship with a therapist, a child with selective mutism begins to verbalize again. As well, through therapy, once a child or teen with selective mutism feels safe, they will start verbalizing again.
To begin, click the button below to book a phone consultation to learn about how we can help you child or teen overcome selective mutism and build healthy communication skills.
She offers selective mutism specialized therapy for children and teenagers using art and walking.
Do not accept the opinion from friends or professionals that your child will grow out of it or they are “just shy.”
A child with a selective mutism diagnosis will not do well in a sit and talk therapy environment. Often, many therapists only offer video therapy on the computer or talking. But, at Wisdom Within Counseling, our team of creative therapists specialize in going beyond words. Often, children with selective mutism need help communicating what is on the inside.
Therefore, we offer creative art, meditation therapies, yoga, music and walking therapies outdoors that provide a language beyond words.
Frequently, children who won’t talk need a professional who won’t make them talk. In time, from a trusting bond an positive therapeutic relationship, slowly, words will start again. Also, a child’s therapist can help with coordinating care at school and home. Bringing your child to therapy for selective mutism can help them live a healthy life and feel confident. Sometimes, children with selective mutism develop low self-esteem from bullying experiences. In counseling for selective mutism, our team of child and marriage therapists know how to connect and empathize in creative ways. In Southeastern Connecticut, there are not many therapists who specialize with selective mutism. At times, our therapists offer family therapy sessions help children with selective mutism communicate in non verbal ways with siblings and family members.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, creative expressive arts and play therapies are a part of selective mutism specialized therapy for children and teenagers.
What should you do if you think your child has selective mutism and you want help?
If you think your child has selective mutism, goto your pediatrician or to a child therapist. For instance, East Lyme Pediatrics can diagnose selective mutism. In Southeastern Connecticut, in addition, Flanders Pediatrics can also diagnose selective mutism. Often, people wait too long and a child has found too much comfort already in not speaking. So, if your child struggles to understand instructions or follow routines, and won’t talk, seek help. Also, a qualified speech and language therapist can help provide a selective mutism diagnosis.
