A boy who’s afraid to speak
description: Feb. 11: Jacob Hanna’s teacher and classmates have never heard his voice. Why? Because he has selective mutism. TODAY’s Amy Robach reports.
Comments
Sorry...forgot to leave an email if anyone is interested in keeping in touch! meagan_pie@hotmail.com THANKS! -
meagan_pie
My daughter has multiple disabilities one being SM. I was happy to see an article in People magazine & this video. She was so bad she wouldn't even nod yes or no or point or anything. She wouldn't communicate in ANY way. She has been getting therapy & has improved greatly. There are people she LOVES a lot (like her nurse that she had in public school & saw almost every day) that she still will not talk to! She talks on & on & on about her & how excited she is to see her then nothing. Thank-you very much for bringing awareness of SM! Meagan's mommy -
meagan_pie
My son was diagnosed with SM at age 3. Teachers would withhold snacks because he could not say thank you. He wouldn't even speak to my parents. With counseling he began to speak in school after 2 years but only in a light whisper. Every year before school began he said, Mommy I'm going to talk this year, but he couldn't. He told me he thought everyone would laugh because his voice would sound funny. I wanted to give him a new start with new kids so we switched schools. At the new school he was able to speak when he was asked a question. He is now 16 and is still a quiet kid but is self-confident every year progresses to overcome this. He is working, driving and excited abotu going to college. DON'T GIVE YOUR CHILD MEDICATION-TIME WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS. Best advice from the counselor:Don't let other people dictate your child's behavior. Let your child be themselves. nsweldon@aol.com -
nsweldon
berly05 please e-mail me, I live in KY and would love to share info. my mail is karkrew30@gmail.com thank you -
karkrew30
My son had Selective Mutisum starting at age 3 while attending preschool. He didn't speak to any classmates or teachers. At home he was very comfortable and spoke to everyone. People he did not see on a regular basis at our home he would not speak to. He was very shy but extremly intelligent. We went to a doctor who was familiar with SM and she came to his preschool to talk with the teachers and director which helped tremendously. His 4 year old teacher would not give him snack if he didn't say please or thankyou. She was much better once she learned more about SM. He went to a private kindergarten and had the most wonderful teacher who worked with him. She let us come in without the other students and help her so he could become comfortable. He is now twelve years old and in the 7th grade and doing GREAT. My advise is DON'T medicate, just be patient and don't force anything. Educate the childs teachers, friends and family. -
MRT01234
My son was diagnosed at age 7 with Selective Mutism. He's had it since he learned to speak. Finding help around KY has been impossible and we struggle still today on how and what to do for him.He is 10 now and still only his 3 sisters and parents get to hear his voice. I love that People magazine and others are finally getting the word out there. Social phobias and Social Anxieties plague my son. SelectiveMutism.org does have a lot of information out there but still more needs to be done. Our pediatrician had never heard of Selective Mutism until we educated him!!! -
berly05
as a child I did not speek for two years to anyone but my family and very closed friends. well I am now an adult, who works with children all day. I own a childcare center and speek to people all day. I slowly gained the ablitiy to speek to others. no drugs no therapy, just understanding parents and adults. -
zews0
Research this on a web site called selectivemutism.com. A wonderful man Jonathan Berent specializes in this. My son is very severe and we noticed his "shyness" at around 3 years of age. This man telling about selective mutism needs to seriously research a LOT more. Make sure you go to selectivemutism.com, it is full of answers and coping stratgies that will not only help your child but also you the parent. Matt needs to get the real deal on this show if he wants the true answers about this disorder. -
karkrew30
My son has this. I have searched for information and seeked profesional help. But I can't find clear techniques which are proven to work. My son is 5 and has had selective mutism since he could speak. I'd love to hear from parents of children who have overcome this. -
KimmyJack
MR. Gallagher should be ashamed of himself for frightening parents. In my 15 years working with children I have seen this "disorder" several times. My own father did not speak to his own parents until he was seven. He is very successful and gregarious now. Every selectively mute child I have met is incredibly intelligent and far beyond their peers by high school. The medical community is going to "therapy" these children to death. There is nothing wrong with them, they do not need drugs, in fact, if they would conduct further study I would hypothesize that this is a developmental milestone towards genius. -
Blazer4X4_1964
Three out of four of my children were diagnosed with Selective Mutisim. One didn't speak in public all the way trough high school... Public speaking had to be done with video taping at home or after clas with just the teacher... The other two started talking a little earlier... one in third grade and one in eigth grade. Therir ages now... 26, 24, and 22. ALl are social and working good jobs....It's very frustrating, but let time be on your side... We worked with Dr. Black at the National Institute for Health for over a year.... I would be glad to commincate with anyone who has a child like this. gnt1120@msn.com -
racefan20gmt
This story hits true to home. My daughter is 7 now and started having social anxiety problems at the age of 3 right when she entered preschool. It has been a struggle but she has come a long way. At first she would not talk to any classmates; today she talks and socializes with everyone in her class except the teacher. There are some adults and relatives she will not converse with She freezes, she can't explain it when confronted. Selective mutism is a serious problem. My daughter has been seeing a therapist for several years of which up until a year ago, she did not talk to her. She has improved tremendously but it is confusing on what to do next to get her to talk to all adults. I do not want to consider medication for her, I'm not so sure if that would help. She is a normal, and extremely bright 7 year old that is always happy and anxious to learn. I just hope everyday that this problem will soon reverse itself. -
mauihawaii04
Gotta love these doctors they live to put a label on something and then dope up our kids. My sister didn't speak from the age of 5 to about 7.When she wanted something she pointed and I was the only one who knew what she was saying. My mother of course was worried and our doctor said that there was nothing wrong with her, she's just not ready to talk. And one day she started talking and talking and talking!!! -
ImaginedDaisy
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