CAMHS Selective Mutism
SELECTIVE MUTISM RESOURCES: FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, PARENTS, AND SCHOOL
Resources specific to SM:
Selective Mutism Information and Research Association (SMiRA): http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/
- Provides helpful information on selective mutism for young people, parents, and professionals.
- Resources specifically for young people are available for download here: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/information/information-for-teens-adults/, with topics including:
- Where to Get Help with Selective Mutism: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-where-to-get-help-with-selective-mutism/
- When the Words Won’t Come Out: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-when-the-words-wont-come-out/
- Operates a very active Facebook group for young people with SM and their families, where members can ask questions about SM and share experiences: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SMIRASelectiveMutism/
- Posts information about relevant training courses: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/resources/training-courses-2/
iSpeak: http://www.ispeak.org.uk/Default.aspx
- Gives a good overview of SM: http://www.ispeak.org.uk/Overview.aspx
- Offers a wide range of resources on SM, including books, videos, and articles
- Facebook page supporting adults and teenagers with SM, and their parents: https://www.facebook.com/ispeaksm
Selective Mutism Association (SMA): https://www.selectivemutism.org/
- A US-based charity that provides information on SM, as well as a helpful list of relevant FAQs: https://www.selectivemutism.org/learn/faq/
- Includes an online library with a wide range of resources: https://www.selectivemutism.org/learn/online-library/.
Non-specific resources:
Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
- Provides information on anxiety disorders, including SM: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/anxiety-information/young-people-and-anxiety/selective-mutism/
- Operates a helpline (03444775774) and text service (07537 416 905), available Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
- Offers email (support@anxietyuk.org.uk) and live chat services: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/live-chat/
ChildLine: https://www.childline.org.uk/
- Offers a free helpline (0800 1111) available at any time of day/night
- If you don’t want to speak to a counsellor in person, you can use their one-to-one confidential counsellor chat: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/ or send an email from your “locker”
- Also provides helpful message boards, informational games, and videos
Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/
- Provides free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Live chat with a Kooth counsellor is available from Monday – Friday from 12pm- 10pm; and Saturday – Sunday from 6pm-10pm
- Also allows you to keep a personal journal, read articles written by young people, and participate in discussion boards
YoungMinds: https://youngminds.org.uk/
- Provides some helpful information on selective mutism: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/speaking-out-about-selective-mutism/
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger service: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/get-urgent-help/youngminds-crisis-messenger/
- For urgent help, young people can text YM to 85258; all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
- Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK
The following books are recommended by SMiRA. For the full list, see: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/resources/recommended-reading/
- Can’t Talk? Want to Talk!, by Joe Levett & Stephen Street
- My Friend Daniel Doesn’t Talk, by Sharon Longo
- Maya’s Voice, by Wen-Wen Cheng
- The Loudest Roar, by Clair Maskell
- What is selective mutism? (by Building Blocks Therapy Centre): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXcgNPpFjBM
- Beyond mute (a TEDx Talk by writer Shaela Niles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZKTji7k5Y
- What is selective mutism? | Jade’s Mental Health Story (by Mind, the mental health charity): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=SFW5ttTTFTg&feature=emb_title
Selective Mutism Information and Research Association (SMiRA):
- Offers a user-friendly “Information for Parents” section: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/information/information-for-parents/
- Leaflets available for download cover topics including:
- Your Selectively Mute Child: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-smira-parents-leaflet/
- Supporting Children with Selective Mutism – Advice for Parents: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-supporting-children-with-selective-mutism-advice-for-parents/
- Tips for Holidays/Family Gatherings: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-tips-for-holidays/
- Also provides suggestions for interactive toys to engage children with SM: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/resources/toys-games/
Selective Mutism Association (SMA): https://www.selectivemutism.org/sample-page/im-a-parent/
- Answers a list of FAQs relevant to parents of children with SM, including links to additional resources.
- Also provides leaflets available for download, with topics including:
- Parenting issues: https://www.selectivemutism.org/online-library/parenting-issues/
- Tips for Summer Break: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Summer-break.pdf
- Sample Letters: https://www.selectivemutism.org/online-library/sample-letters/
- Helping Others Understand Your Child: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/helping-others-understand-your-child.pdf
- Stories and Poems: https://www.selectivemutism.org/online-library/stories-and-poems/
- Preventing Parent Burnout: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Preventing-Parent-Burnout.pdf
- Parenting issues: https://www.selectivemutism.org/online-library/parenting-issues/
Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-sm/
- A helpful guide for parents, with information on spotting signs of SM, as well as treatment options
Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/selective-mutism/
- Provides information on selective mutism for parents, with topics including:
- How do I know if my child has selective mutism?
- What causes selective mutism?
- What maintains selective mutism?
- How is selective mutism diagnosed and treated?
- Selective mutism in adolescence
YoungMinds:
- Offers a Parents Helpline: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline/
- Parents can call for free on 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9:30am to 4pm) or get in touch via this online form: https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/
The following books are recommended by SMiRA. For the full list, see: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/resources/recommended-reading/
Can I Tell You About Selective Mutism?, by Maggie Johnson & Alison WintgensHelping Your Child with Selective Mutism: Practical Steps to Overcome a Fear of Speaking, by Angela E. McHolm, Charles E. Cunningham & Melanie K. VanierTackling Selective Mutism, editedby Benita Rae Smith and Alice Sluckin
- Understanding and Managing Selective Mutism (by Anxiety Canada): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkIXpykB5U
- Selective Mutism: Tips for Parents (by UCLA Health, featuring Dr. Lindsey Bergman, Child Psychologist and Director of the UCLA Child OCD Intensive Treatment Program): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe9xleE0y3A
- Understanding Selective Mutism (a TEDx Talk by Candice Powell-Caldwell, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3GQe7WCgsQ
Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/guide/teachers-guide-to-selective-mutism/
A comprehensive teacher’s guide to SMExplains how SM might present in the classroom, and how to differentiate it from other conditions (such as autism)Offers tips and strategies for teachers on how to: approach parents if they think a child might have SM; encourage children with SM to participate in class; and more
Selective Mutism Information and Research Association (SMiRA): http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/information/information-for-professionals/
Provides helpful leaflets on SM with information specifically for Health and Education professionals, all available for download, including:
What is SM – Primary School: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-what-is-sm-primary-school/
Planning a Transition to Secondary School: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-planning-a-transition-to-secondary-school/
Do’s & Don’ts at Pre and Primary School: http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-dos-donts-at-pre-and-primary- school/ http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-dos-donts-at-secondary-school/
The Older Child or Teen with Selective Mutism:
http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-older-children-teens/
Guidance for Special Arrangements and Exemptions from School Exams:
http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/info-exam-guidance/
- Also has a Facebook Professionals group for health and education professionals working with or wanting to find out more about Selective Mutism.
- To request access to this closed group, please go to their Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SMIRASelectiveMutism/) and either post a message expressing your interest in the Professionals group, or DM an Admin.
KidsHealth: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/selective-mutism-factsheet.html
- Provides helpful information on SM, for schools and teachers
- Describes “what teachers should know” and “what they can do” to help students with SM
We Are Teachers: https://www.weareteachers.com/selective-mutism/
- Gives a good overview of SM, with advice tailored to educators
- Provides links to other helpful online resources at the end of the article
Selective Mutism: https://www.selective-mutism.com/index.php
- Provides a helpful list of resources for school interventions and classroom strategies for teachers of selectively mute children: https://www.selective-mutism.com/sm-resources
SMart Center: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/whatisselectivemutism/
- Gives a comprehensive overview of SM for parents and teachers, covering topics including:
- What behaviour characteristics does a child with Selective Mutism portray in social settings?
- What are the most common characteristics of children with Selective Mutism?
- Why is it so important to have my child diagnosed when he/she is so young?
- If parents suspect their child has Selective Mutism, what should they do?
Selective Mutism Association (SMA):
- Provides resources on SM specifically for teachers, available for download here: http://www.selectivemutism.org/online-library/school-issues/
- Topics include:
- Preparing the Child with Selective Mutism for the Upcoming School Year: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Preparing-the-Child-with-Selective-Mutism-for-the-Upcoming-School-Year.pdf
- The Selectively Mute Child in School: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-SM-Child-in-School.pdf
- Classroom Strategies for Teachers of Selectively Mute Children: http://www.selectivemutism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Classroom-Strategies-for-Teachers-of-Selectively-Mute-Children.pdf
BOOKS
The following books are recommended by SMiRA. For the full list, see:
http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/resources/recommended-reading/
The Selective MutismResource Manual (Second Edition), by Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens
Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide for Therapists, Educators & Parents, by Aimee KotrbaThe Selective Mutism Treatment Guide: Manuals for Parents, Teachers and Therapists: Still Waters Run Deep, by Ruth Perednik
VIDEOS
Selective Mutism: Tips for Teachers (by UCLA Health, featuring Dr. Lindsey Bergman, Child Psychologist and Director of the UCLA Child OCD Intensive Treatment Program): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znt4I3u7Y1M
What is Selective Mutism? (by We Are Teachers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=K2VFx_iOnxQ&feature=emb_title