How to Overcome Selective Mutism
Check to see if you, a friend, or loved one, meet(s) the criteria for having selective mutism: Consistent inability to speak in specific social situations (e.g., Recognize the extent to which selective mutism is affecting your daily functioning., If...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Check to see if you
at school) where speaking is expected.
Ability to talk and normally interact in other circumstances.
The inability to speak under certain situation is having a negative impact on social and academic functions.
The symptoms last for longer than one month, excluding the first month of school (it takes time to adjust to a new environment).
The symptoms cannot be accounted for by unfamiliarity with the spoken language under the given social situation (i.e. a girl fluent in another language who knows very little English and remains quiet in situations where English is spoken does not have selective mutism!) The symptoms cannot be accounted for by another disability, such as autism/Asperger syndrome, schizophrenia, or general psychotic disorders.
The inability to speak is not by choice, but rather by extreme anxiety preventing the individual from speaking. -
Step 2: a friend
To overcome selective mutism, you must first recognise how it is affecting you.
Find out the specific circumstances in which you are unable to speak.
For example, a child may speak normally with peers, but unable to talk to adults.
Another child may talk and behave totally normal at home, but remains completely silent at school.
By identifying the particular situation where selective mutism manifests, you can help direct your efforts to overcome selective mutism under these circumstances. , Then gradually introduce another person to interact with to join the conversation.
Start with the most comfortable person you can talk with and progress gradually to the most uncomfortable person for you to talk to.
The idea of this technique is that the anxiety caused by the persons you feel uncomfortable interacting with will "fade" away when this stimulus is associated with another person you feel very comfortable interacting with. , via letter, e-mail, instant message, online chat, etc.
Then progress to more interactions, such as by phone, then interact at a distance, and eventually to more direct interactions.
This method is also highly effective for numerous other anxiety disorders, such as specific phobias.
The idea of this method is to overcome the anxiety causing inability to speak by gradual exposure to increasing levels of the anxiety-provoking stimulus, eventually becoming desensitized enough to overcome the actual situation. , Gradually increase the comfort level.
Due to the extreme anxiety, it is crucial to get as much help and encouragement from others as possible.Try audio recordings of one's own voice, then replaying the speech to develop comfort with speaking
-- this technique is known as Shaping.
Practice whispering at a public place as in an office or classroom with a friend/parent or teacher, and practice gradually increasing the volume to a talking level. ,, Instead of thinking "I can't talk..." think "I can try to talk and make it possible if I work at it! "
One may benefit from public speaking classes for learning to do presentations, and even for small venues such as job interviews.
Entertainers and other public speakers get used to having that stress when speaking or singing for a large audience.
Sometimes, however, even well-experienced entertainers turn to drugs to attempt to control these stressful feelings, to relax on stage.
Later in one's career while being naturally relaxed, one may desire to feel the old excitement, when it is rarely felt at all.
Often, at the head table or on stage one may look at each other to offer support and to get a smile or a nod of appreciation.
There is considerable stress related to new social situations as well as in the larger venues with crowds. , In that case, you should seek professional help and may require the use of medications to cope with selective mutism.
Common medications prescribed to help reduce anxiety to allow speaking and interaction include fluoxetine (Prozac) and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Use of medications should be combined with repeated practice of the above techniques and anxiety-reduction techniques for the greatest likelihood of overcoming selective mutism. -
Step 3: or loved one
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Step 4: meet(s) the criteria for having selective mutism: Consistent inability to speak in specific social situations (e.g.
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Step 5: Recognize the extent to which selective mutism is affecting your daily functioning.
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Step 6: If you can get others to help
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Step 7: try to overcome selective mutism gradually with the "Stimulus Fading technique": under a controlled environment (where help is readily available)
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Step 8: interact with someone whom you can communicate with comfortably.
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Step 9: If the technique above fails to work entirely
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Step 10: or cannot be carried out readily
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Step 11: try to overcome selective mutism using the "Systematic Desensitization Technique": First imagine yourself in the situation wherein you cannot speak
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Step 12: then imagine speaking
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Step 13: then try to interact with persons in that scenario indirectly
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Step 14: Practice as necessary with all kinds of communications; become comfortable getting attention
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Step 15: raising your hand
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Step 16: nodding/shaking your head
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Step 17: pointing
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Step 18: writing
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Step 19: making some eye contact
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Step 20: etc.Introduce speaking a little at a time
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Step 21: and progressively speak a little more.
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Step 22: Use "Contingency Management
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Step 23: " whereby you get a simple reward for speaking under anxiety-provoking situations.
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Step 24: Focus on positive thinking to help overcome the anxiety.
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Step 25: Realize that butterflies (nervousness or even shaking) are common in certain situations; hence
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Step 26: you should start with smaller groups.
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Step 27: For severe selective mutism
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Step 28: the above techniques may not work adequately to overcome the disability.
Detailed Guide
at school) where speaking is expected.
Ability to talk and normally interact in other circumstances.
The inability to speak under certain situation is having a negative impact on social and academic functions.
The symptoms last for longer than one month, excluding the first month of school (it takes time to adjust to a new environment).
The symptoms cannot be accounted for by unfamiliarity with the spoken language under the given social situation (i.e. a girl fluent in another language who knows very little English and remains quiet in situations where English is spoken does not have selective mutism!) The symptoms cannot be accounted for by another disability, such as autism/Asperger syndrome, schizophrenia, or general psychotic disorders.
The inability to speak is not by choice, but rather by extreme anxiety preventing the individual from speaking.
To overcome selective mutism, you must first recognise how it is affecting you.
Find out the specific circumstances in which you are unable to speak.
For example, a child may speak normally with peers, but unable to talk to adults.
Another child may talk and behave totally normal at home, but remains completely silent at school.
By identifying the particular situation where selective mutism manifests, you can help direct your efforts to overcome selective mutism under these circumstances. , Then gradually introduce another person to interact with to join the conversation.
Start with the most comfortable person you can talk with and progress gradually to the most uncomfortable person for you to talk to.
The idea of this technique is that the anxiety caused by the persons you feel uncomfortable interacting with will "fade" away when this stimulus is associated with another person you feel very comfortable interacting with. , via letter, e-mail, instant message, online chat, etc.
Then progress to more interactions, such as by phone, then interact at a distance, and eventually to more direct interactions.
This method is also highly effective for numerous other anxiety disorders, such as specific phobias.
The idea of this method is to overcome the anxiety causing inability to speak by gradual exposure to increasing levels of the anxiety-provoking stimulus, eventually becoming desensitized enough to overcome the actual situation. , Gradually increase the comfort level.
Due to the extreme anxiety, it is crucial to get as much help and encouragement from others as possible.Try audio recordings of one's own voice, then replaying the speech to develop comfort with speaking
-- this technique is known as Shaping.
Practice whispering at a public place as in an office or classroom with a friend/parent or teacher, and practice gradually increasing the volume to a talking level. ,, Instead of thinking "I can't talk..." think "I can try to talk and make it possible if I work at it! "
One may benefit from public speaking classes for learning to do presentations, and even for small venues such as job interviews.
Entertainers and other public speakers get used to having that stress when speaking or singing for a large audience.
Sometimes, however, even well-experienced entertainers turn to drugs to attempt to control these stressful feelings, to relax on stage.
Later in one's career while being naturally relaxed, one may desire to feel the old excitement, when it is rarely felt at all.
Often, at the head table or on stage one may look at each other to offer support and to get a smile or a nod of appreciation.
There is considerable stress related to new social situations as well as in the larger venues with crowds. , In that case, you should seek professional help and may require the use of medications to cope with selective mutism.
Common medications prescribed to help reduce anxiety to allow speaking and interaction include fluoxetine (Prozac) and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Use of medications should be combined with repeated practice of the above techniques and anxiety-reduction techniques for the greatest likelihood of overcoming selective mutism.
About the Author
Scott Perry
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Scott Perry combines 12 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Scott's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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