Dear Amanda:

I see that you are from Belleville. In Canada there are two outstanding
researchers of sm - Dr. Cunningham from Hamilton and Dr. Manassis at Sick Kids
in Toronto. There also is a support group for parents of selectively mute
children from that hospital. If I remember correctly, Toronto is not a
hop-step-and-jump from Belleville, but it certainly is within telephone distance
and someone in T.O. should be able to give you names of medical personnel in
your area. You will be looking for a medical doctor who deals with childhood
anxieties and/or selective mutism.

Go to the site "selectivemutism.org" http://www.selectivemutism.org/ and there
you can download printouts for your teacher and your doctor which will help to
explain the disorder. Also, there is an internet site based in Toronto on sm
run by a young mother named Lin Gorenkoff at
http://designandcopy.ca/silentchild/index.html where you might be able to get
information which is in your area.

Gail Kervatt has given you some very good information which will give you a
start on your journey. But, there are medical personnel in Canada (and in your
area) that should also be able to help you. Good luck -

Joan

----- Original Message -----
From: Amanda
To: selectivemutismsupportgroup2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 5:57 PM
Subject: [Selective Mutism Support Group] Hi, I'm new



Hello,
My name is Amanda. I live in Belleville, Ontario. I am married and
have two children, Mackenzie 4 and Nathan 2.
I am so glad to have found this group. I was just searching the net
today after getting yet another "bad" report from the teacher today
wehn I picked my 4 year old from JK. She has been in school since
september and she has just barly started talking to her teacher. Her
teacher is frustrated because hs does not know what to do with her.
My daughter, mackenzie knows how to count and knows her colors. She
is very chatty at home but has times where she refuses to talk to us
when she is in a bad mood. Now at school she refuses to talk,
especially when she has another teacher like when she goes to music
class. She will not participate in most activities and refuses to
write her name but she does it well at home. I always thought of her
as shy but sometimes she suprises me and warms up to a new person
quickly. I honestly did not know about selective mutism until today
when I did a search. I feel relieved just to know that there is a
name for it and there are thinks I can do. I have been feeling
like "why my kid?" because all of the other kids are doing fine and
she is the "problem child" of the class.
My next step is to meet with the principal of her school and see what
can be done to help Mackenzie. I will be giving her teacher an
article I found while searcing today. I have been so upset about the
situation and I feel bad that I did not find information on this
condition earlier. I guess all I can do is move forward and do what
is right for her now. I would really appreciate any info on what I
should be discussing at the coming meeting with her principal or any
other throughts you may have. Thanks so much
Amanda




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