The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Jun/July/August 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com Dr. Christina Luna, CCC-SLP | Donna Spillman-Kennedy, CCC-SLP 786 Mountain Blvd, Suite 203B, Watchung (866) 539-6685 www.IntegratedSpeechPathology.com We See Adults For: • $XWLVP 6SHFWUXP 'LVRUGHU • $FFHQW 0RGLILFDWLRQ • %XVLQHVV &RPPXQLFDWLRQ • 3XEOLF 6SHDNLQJ ,QWHUYLHZLQJ • )DVW 7DONLQJ • +RDUVH 7LUHG 9RLFH • >^sd >Kh Š 7UHDWPHQW • 3RVW 6WURNH 7UHDWPHQW • 7UDXPDWLF %UDLQ ,QMXU\ • )HHGLQJ 6ZDOORZLQJ • $QG 0RUH We See Children & Teens For: • 6SHHFK 6RXQGV $UWLFXODWLRQ • 6SHHFK 7KHUDS\ YLD 352037 Š • 9RFDEXODU\ *UDPPDU • 6HOHFWLYH 0XWLVP • 6SHHFK 'HYLFHV L3DGV • $XWLVP 6SHFWUXP 'LVRUGHUV • )HHGLQJ 6ZDOORZLQJ • +RDUVH 9RLFH • +HDG 7UDXPD • $WWHQWLRQ 0HPRU\ • $QG 0RUH Integrated Speech Pathology, LLC Pediatric, Adolescent & Adult Services Communication is something we all take for granted. ~ Miriam Margolyes In the United States, more than 20 million adults & children cannot effectively express their wants & needs, feelings, ideas, or dreams We are working to change that. One person at a time. IS IT SHYNESS… OR SELECTIVE MUTISM? By: Donna Spillman-Kennedy MS CCC-SLP Depending on the situation, a child may talk a lot or very little. Meeting a new adult or being in a new place can make loud, active children quiet and still. This is often thought to be shyness. Some people by nature are reserved or introverted. People who are shy consistently feel uncomfort- able talking; need extra time to “warm up;” become comfortable, and start talking. Shy children won’t raise their hand but when called on, they are able to talk. Shyness allows talking when they have to. Other chil- dren look shy but they really are not. “Extreme shyness” may be Selective Mutism (SM): a social communica- tion anxiety disorder and may look like a “speech phobia” when there is an expectation for speaking. The onset of SM is typically between 3 and 8 years of age, affecting social skills, speech and language development, and ultimately school performance. At one time, this silence was thought to be a choice not to speak. After all, they talk at home. Children with SM communicate freely in one place, typically home, and don’t in others. In school, where they are expected to say something, they don’t respond even though they may be very bright. These children sometimes try to com- municate without being heard, like using facial expressions; eye contact or looking at something; by whisper- ing into another child’s ear; writing or gesturing or pointing or using hand signals. SM makes children appear frightened, “frozen” or unre- sponsive; have a ridged “stiff as a board” posture; slow responses in social situations (if at all); clinginess to someone, perhaps a parent; and an expressionless, “deer in head- lights” look. Symptoms often begin to become apparent when the child begins school where there is a greater expectation for speaking and performing well. What can you do if you suspect a child in your life has SM? Accept any form of attempted com- munication. Don’t demand eye con- tact and never bribe or force a child to talk. Think of something you fear, perhaps snakes or the dentist. Forc- ing you to hold a snake or restraining you in the dentist’s chair will likely make fears worse. For children with SM, take away the pressure to speak. Give extra time for the child to com- municate before prompting a response. Try your best to encourage any form of communication instead of talking. There are ways to express thoughts without words. Pantomime /gestures work well. This may be pointing at an object or bringing a hand that looks like it is holding a glass to their mouth to request a drink. It can be encouraging thumbs up or a nod to answer a question. Do not avoid social situations. Progres- sive exposure, positive and successful communication during different experiences is important. This disorder will not go away on its own, and may limit a child’s potential. Early identification and treatment by a specialist in childhood anxiety and/or a speech-language pathologist is essential to improving SM. Donna Spillman-Kennedy MS CCC- SLP provides services to children with selective mutism and their education teams. She lectures locally, regionally and nationally and has recently co- authored a book for professional treatment of this disorder. If you think a child in your life may have SM, she can be contacted at Integrated Speech Pathology in Watchung. www.IntegratedSpeechPathology.com PAGE 28