Dear Kris,
I read your e mail today and your daughter sounds just like mine. My daughter
also started out with speech delay. She would completely "shut down" with her
therapist. Her therapist became so frustrated that she asked for an OT eval;
she thought she may have sensory issues as well. I always thought it was a
socio/emotional issue (social anxiety). I thought she had a severe case of
shyness, but something told me it was much more. A co worker of mine told me
about selective mutism. When I looked it up on the net it sounded JUST LIKE MY
DAUGHTER! She is four now. She has made some progress with extended family.
She now speaks to her cousins, grandparents. She just started speaking to kids
who come to our house. She always needs to be surrounded by family or in a very
comfortable and familiar place before she speaks. What worries me is that she
NEVER spoke during her first year of pre-school. Her teacher was worried that
she never heard her voice.
Sept is around the corner and I do not want her to go another year without
speaking. I found a psychologist from NYU Child Study Center( New York) who
deals with SM. His name is Dr. Kurtz. We have a consultation on Aug. 27. I
just want him to help her break this pattern of not speaking, especially since
she speaks beautifully at home (assertive too).
I will let you know how it goes. Write to me again after the 27th and I will
tell you what he said. Good luck with your daughter.
Victoria

kristia smith <klsmiith@...> wrote:
I recently found this group and have a few questions. My daughter is 3 years
old and currently seeing a speech therapist. She is speech delayed due to a
history of ear problems. The speech therapist believes that she has selective
mutism and after much study on the subject I think she is correct. At home and
with people she is comfortable with Whitney's speech is getting so much better,
but when she is around others or in an uncomfortable situation she "shuts down".
She will speak to the therapist only if someone else she is comfortable with is
in the room. She is excited when we tell her that the therapist is coming to
play and she plays eagerly with her but stays silent. I can see the frustration
in her face as she would love to interact but cannot make herself do so. I know
the speech delay just makes things harder because sometimes she is hard to
understand when she does decide to talk.
I am wondering what a psychologist might me able to do for her. Can anyone tell
me what the usual course of action is when going to a psychologist? I want to
do whatever I can to help Whitney. She is such a loving, intelligent child and
I want her to be able to be comfortable and able to communicate. Thanks in
advance for any advice or information!
Kris & Whitney



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