Selective mutism is a persistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g. at preschool or school), despite speaking fluently in familiar situations. We’ve written about it here and here and here.
![Eight strategies to support children with selective mutism | Banter Speech & Language Eight strategies to support children with selective mutism](https://www.banterspeech.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Eight-strategies-to-support-children-with-selective-mutism-1-1024x1024.png)
So how can families, carers, educators, and others help children with selective mutism?
- Focus on what the child can do by developing their skills, talents and interests. Value the child as a whole person – there is much more to life than just talking!
- Schedule regular physical exercise to help the child manage anxiety and to boost confidence.
- In private, acknowledge the child’s achievements around talking. In public, praise the child for other (non-talking) behaviours in the same way you would praise any other child.
- Don’t be too helpful! Encourage the child to have a go, or think of ways to simplify tasks to increase success. Don’t jump in and “save” children from opportunities to communicate for themselves.
- Help the child to see difficult tasks like talking as exciting challenges. Change the language from, ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t’, to ‘can’t yet’.
- Normalise mistake-making! Acknowledge and praise the child for trying new things regardless of outcomes. Encourage practice.
- Welcome and respond to any kind of communication from the child, including gestures, nodding, drawing, making choices, or helping in different ways.
- Help the child to build friendships by pairing them up with another child for unstructured play dates, or at preschool or school.
If you are concerned about a child with suspected selective mutism, have a chat with a psychologist or speech pathologist with experience in the area.
For an accessible version of this infographic, here’s our video:
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZYKHO98zaHI/hqdefault.jpg)
Main source: Johnson & Wintgen. 2017. The Selective Mutism Resource Manual (2nd edition). Routledge.
Related articles:
- Selective Mutism: key things to know
- When silence is not golden: evidence-based treatment for children with selective mutism
- Help! My bilingual child just started preschool but won’t speak! (FAQs on the “Silent Period”)
![David Kinnane | Banter Speech & Language Man wearing glasses and a suit, standing in front of a bay](https://www.banterspeech.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/David-square-photo-Instagram-Post-Square.png)
Hi there, I’m David Kinnane.
Principal Speech Pathologist, Banter Speech & Language
Our talented team of certified practising speech pathologists provide unhurried, personalised and evidence-based speech pathology care to children and adults in the Inner West of Sydney and beyond, both in our clinic and via telehealth.
.