Selective Mutism - Recommended Reading
Being a mother to a child with selective mutism I’ve put together a post on recommended reading which may help other parents, teachers and/or therapists with their journey into selective mutism.
Books for parents, teachers and other professionals
The Selective Mutism Resource Manual
This resource manual is essential reading for people who have selective mutism as well as for the parents, clinicians, therapists, educators, caseworkers who needs to understand, assess or manage selective mutism, this is a comprehensive and practical manual that is grounded in behavioural psychology and anxiety management and draws on relevant research findings as well as the authors’ extensive clinical experience.
The second edition includes new material for adolescents and adults, The Selective Mutism Resource Manual 2e provides:
- an up-to-date summary of literature and theory to deepen your understanding of selective mutism
- a wealth of ideas on assessment and management in home, school and community settings so that its relevance extends far beyond clinical practice
- a huge range of printable online handouts and other resources
- case studies and personal stories to illustrate symptoms and demonstrate the importance of tailored interventions.is
Understanding Selective Mutism: A Beginner's Guide BY Lucy Nathanson
This book is a 30 page, clear and concise introduction to selective mutism; it is an excellent tool for parents to lend to family members and school staff to help them to gain an understanding of selective mutism in a short amount of time. There are often misconceptions surrounding this condition; the aim of this book is to provide the reader an understanding of what children with selective mutism are experiencing. This book covers an overview of selective mutism: what selective mutism is and is not, the diagnostic criteria, what causes selective mutism, how to interact with a child with selective mutism and an overview of the treatment methods.
Overcoming Selective Mutism: The Parent's Field Guide by Dr. Aimee Kotrba PhD and Shari J. Saffer
Overcoming Selective Mutism is a comprehensive guidebook offering parents the knowledge and guidance they need to move their child beyond silence. The authors offer a creative and motivating Journey theme to introduce tools that help parents and children plan and conquer some of the most common challenges associated with selective mutism. Drawing from their respective experiences as a clinician who has treated hundreds of children with selective mutism and a parent of a child with selective mutism, authors Dr. Aimee Kotrba and Shari J. Saffer provide clear strategies to increase speaking and reduce anxiety. Plan your child’s journey to confidence with: Research-based intervention tools and expert step-by-step guidance Practical skills to help your child increase speech with peers, adults and educators Easy-to-understand handouts and cheat sheets for teachers, caregivers and schools Colorful worksheets, planning pages for adults, and activities for children to practice bravery in speaking
Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide for Therapists, Educators & Parents by Aimee Kotrba
Selective Mutism: A Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents provides an effective, research-based behavioral intervention plan for the successful treatment of Selective Mutism. Based on years of clinical experience and expertise, author Dr. Aimee Kotrba provides not only assessment and treatment information, but also case examples, easy-to-implement workbook sheets, and informative handouts. Dr. Kotrba is an advocate of team treatment – parents, schools, and mental health professionals working together to intervene with selective mutism — and this book provides intervention strategies for all team members, as well as a comprehensive treatment plan that can be individualized to any child. The techniques included emphasize a gradual, stepwise approach to increased speech, as well as fun and engaging activities that can be used at each step of treatment. Tips for engaging and motivating children and teens are included to improve treatment outcomes.
Helping Your Child with Selective Mutism by Ph.D. Angela E. McHolm
This book offers a broad overview of selective Mutism and reviews the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. The book details a plan you can use to coordinate professional treatment of your child’s disorder. It also explains the steps you can take on your own to encourage your child to speak comfortably in school and in his or her peer group. All of the book’s strategies employ a gradual, “stepladder” approach. The techniques gently encourage children to speak more, while at the same time helping them feel safe and supported.
Books for children and schools
Lola's words disappeared by Elaheh Bos
As Lola starts school, something strange happens. Her words disappear! Now Lola must find new ways to give her words the courage to come back. A fun and practical introduction to different techniques of anxiety management, specifically used for children with selective mutism. Most effective when followed up with the activity book. This series explores six anxiety reduction and management techniques. The book was created in collaboration with Dr. Tamara Soles, Psychologist specializing in early childhood.
Lola's words disappeared and came back: Lola's words disappeared - Activity book
As Lola starts school, something strange happens. Her words disappear! Now Lola must find new ways to give her words the courage to come back. This is the companion book to Lola’s Words Disappeared Book written to help children with selective mutism. This activity book and journal takes learning into the practical phase by providing questions that generate personal awareness. It reinforces key tools and techniques, and allows Lola’s journey to be a conduit for personal growth.
Leo's Words Disappeared by Elaheh Bos
This is the boy version to Lola’s story (above). As Leo starts school, something strange happens. His words disappear! Now Leo must find new ways to give his words the courage to come back. A fun and practical introduction to different techniques of anxiety management, specifically used for children with selective mutism. Most effective when followed up with the activity book. This series explores six anxiety reduction and management techniques.
Leo's words disappeared and came back: Activity book by Elaheh Bos
As Leo starts school, something strange happens. His words disappear! Now Leo must find new ways to give his words the courage to come back. This is the companion book to Leo’s Words Disappeared Book written to help children with selective mutism. This activity book and journal takes learning into the practical phase by providing questions that generate personal awareness. It reinforces key tools and techniques, and allows Leo’s journey to be a conduit for personal growth.
Why doesn't Alice talk at school? by Lucy Nathanson
Why doesn’t Alice talk at school?” is a beautifully illustrated book that can be read to peers to help them to understand selective mutism. The book starts with a section for adults, and the story for children follows. Reading this book creates a space for adults to have a conversation with peers about selective mutism, to answer their questions, and to explain in a child-friendly way how they can support their friend. Children with selective mutism are often fearful of how peers would respond if they were to talk. Naturally, it is a very exciting moment when a child speaks for the first time; however, making a fuss may halt the child’s ability to continue to use their voice. This book can be used as a tool to help peers to understand selective mutism, and to explain important messages which will help to create a supportive class environment for the child with selective mutism.
The Loudest Roar by Clair Maskell
Angus has a fantastic roar. It is so loud, it gives his Dad a headache! But his roar doesn’t always work, leaving Angus feeling sad, angry and alone.This book describes what it can be feel like to have Selective Mutism and how even though you cannot express things in words, you can still do amazing things.
Maya's Voice by Wen-Wen Cheng
Maya is a bright-eyed, inquisitive little girl who loves to share her sweet voice. But when she starts school, she loses the confidence to use her voice and goes about her school day in silence. With time, patience, understanding, and love from all those around her, Maya discovers her sweet voice.
My name is Eliza and I don't talk at school by Lucy Nathanson
This beautifully illustrated and positive book is an excellent aid and therapeutic tool for both therapists and parents of primary-age children with selective mutism. The book opens with a section for adults to read before presenting the story to the child, explaining how best to use the book and the therapeutic approach to helping children with selective mutism, as well as including useful discussion questions.Eliza’s charming story then follows. In the first half, Eliza describes how she feels in different situations, both at home and at school – feelings that will resonate with many children with selective mutism. In the second half, we discover how she begins to overcome her fear with small steps and easy methods that parents and therapists can adopt. With delightful artwork, this story will help children with selective mutism feel as though they are not alone, as well as offering parents and professionals a way to begin a conversation with the child about their selective mutism and suggest the steps to help them.
My name is Ben and I don't talk sometimes by Lucy Nathanson
My name is Ben and I don’t talk sometimes is a story about a child’s experience of selective mutism, in his words. Ben takes us on a journey of how he feels across situations – at his birthday party, with people he’s unable to talk to, on playdates and at school. Through the story, we also learn that Ben’s best friend has a fear of swimming and by taking small steps he works to overcome this. Ben shares, in a child-friendly way, his feelings around talking and interwoven into the story is the intervention of how he begins to make steps forward. Parents and professionals can use this book as a therapeutic tool to begin a dialogue with children about selective mutism. The story is suitable for children aged 6 years and over. Through beautiful illustrations, children will identify with Ben, realising that they are not alone; thus allowing for a conversation to begin about their difficulty with talking, as well as the steps to help them.
