Dear Amanda:

A comment to three of your points - if I may -

She refused to sit in her chair and would not
talk of participate in anything.

I doubt if Mackenzie "refused" to sit in her chair - often our sm children are
so terrified that they are literally "frozen in fear" - Mackenzie was probably
so terrified that she was unable to move. This happened often to our sm child.
Remember, selective mutism is an anxiety disorder and anxiety means "intense
distress" often reaching "toxic" levels in our children. And yes, being tired
does increase the level of anxiety and lessens her ability to cope in the school
environment.

does anyone have an EA (Educational assistant) working with your child in
school.

This sounds like a viable alternative; however, in Ontario I have yet to meet an
EA who assists a selectively mute child (perhaps you will be the first). We
handled this by volunteering in the classroom several times a week (with the
permission of the teacher and principal) and also hiring a therapist who came to
the school for one hour a week (this did not start until Grade 2). Therapy
outside of the classroom is not nearly as effective as inside the classroom.
You might be able to get an hour or two a week with a speech and/or resource
teacher, but I doubt very much if the Board would be willing to hire an EA for
your daughter.

Have any of you volunteered in your child's class and did it help or hurt the
situation.

For most of our sm children, this is a wise alternative. However, some sm
children are more anxious when the parent is in the classroom. Ask your
daughter - she will be able to tell you. If the school will not allow you to
assist in the classroom, then volunteer to help at lunch, or during recess or
before/after school. Perhaps you would not be in the classroom but in the
library, computer area, etc. And keep in mind, any person whom Mackenzie is
comfortable - grandparent, close friend, neighbour, etc. could also assist in
this endeavour. We had several people involved in assisting our sm child.

I wish you the best of luck - a supportive school is absolutely necessary and
most parents who advocate for their selectively mute children have been received
very favourably by the school. Just be sure to do your homework and be prepared
to validate your requests. You will need the support of the principal as this
issue will surface (albeit in differenct modes) throughout Mackenzie's school
career - the teacher will probably change from year to year; hopefully the
principal not as often.

Joan
----- Original Message -----
From: Amanda
To: selectivemutismsupportgroup2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 1:52 AM
Subject: [Selective Mutism Support Group] Update on Mackenzie



I got another report today that the teacher was ready to call us to
come get mackenzie. She refused to sit in her chair and would not
talk of participate in anything. She got throug the day though. I am
wondering if tiredness will fuel her SM. She was tired and cranky
today to begin with.

One side note, does anyone have an EA (Educational assistant) working with
your child in school.

Have any of you volunteered in your child's class and did it help or hurt the
situation.




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