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1.Do not tell the child to speak to you or draw attention to their lack of speech Never say to a child with SM ‘are you going to talk to me today?’ Children with SM want to talk but their level of anxiety is so high that words just cannot come out. Drawing attention to their lack of speech only increases their anxiety, making it harder for words to come out. So try to make the child feel as relaxed as possible and remove ALL pressure to speak. 2. Do not give the child over the top attention Children with SM are often very self-conscious and do not like being the centre of attention. Treat the child exactly the same as you treat the other children. 3. Do not tell the child off for not talking or act frustrated by their lack of speech.


The child does not deserve to be told off, they are not being defiant or stubborn, they want to talk but they cannot. 4. Do not ask the child direct questions School staff sometimes ask the child questions, hoping that finally the child will answer. If the child has never spoken to you, they will not answer your question.


SELECTIVE MUTISM


s your child so ‘shy’ that they do not talk at school? Or maybe they talk to children but not adults, or vice versa. It may be that they have Selective Mutism (SM). SM is an anxiety disorder which affects approximately 1 in 150 children. It is essentially a phobia of talking – children with SM want to talk but they can’t. Children often report feeling like their voice is ‘stuck’ or that their throat feels tight and the words cannot come out. These children talk comfortably at home, often described as loud and confident at home but freeze when they go to school. SM is place and person dependent – children can speak in certain places but not others, Interventions focus on reducing the child’s anxiety levels, helping them to feel at ease, while gradually exposing them to talking. The following are the do’s and don’ts of how to interact with a child of SM.


I Toys, Technology & Training


Attendance at all of the events is FREE and open to everyone, but advance booking is required. Please contact the library where the talk is happening to book.


Visual Strategies and Self-Management Leixlip Library 9th March 7pm


Reinforcement Leixlip Library 6th April 7pm


Mental Health Management for Teens and Adults with ‘Hidden’ Disabilities Athy Library 14th March 7pm


I Am Concerned That My Child May Have an Additional Need. What Do I Do Now?


Newbridge Library 15th March 11am


My Child Has Been Diagnosed With an Additional Need. What Do I Do Now?


Naas Library 22nd March 11am What is Dyslexia?


Newbridge Library28th March 7pm


Open Sesame: Using Music Therapeutically for Children with Varying Needs Naas Library 23rd March 7pm Leixlip Library 18th May 7pm


Asking a question draws attention to their lack of speech, which only increases their anxiety, making it harder for them to speak 5. Avoid direct eye contact with the child. Direct eye contact increases the child’s anxiety levels and implies an expectation of a response and can thus make the situation a lot scarier for the child. Of course, looking at the child is fine however, avoid staring directly into their eyes. 6. If the child talks to you, don’t act surprised or instantly praise them.


When the child speaks for the first time, this is often a very exciting moment, however it is important not to convey this to the child but to act completely normal when they speak. This way they will see that talking evokes a normal response and is not as scary as they may have been anticipating.


Lucy Nathanson, Child Therapist & Selective Mutism Specialist Further resources online at www.confidentchildren.co.uk www.selectivemutism.org


Helping Primary School Children With Issues Such as Dyspraxia, Asperger’s, ADHD / ADD, Down Syndrome Prepare to Transition to Secondary School Leixlip Lirbary 21st March 7pm


Study Skills for Older Children and Teenagers with Dyslexia Kildare Library 23rd March 7pm


Social Skills for Teens Athy Library 28th March 7pm


Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia) in Secondary School Athy Library 4th April 7pm


Social and Communication Skills for Children Kildare Library 27th April 7pm


It’s Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Tight and the Seams in my Socks Hurt! Helping Children with Sensory Processing Disorder Concentrate and Learn in an Overwhelming World Naas Library 2nd May 7pm


Helping to ‘Bullyproof’ Your Child with Special Needs Athy Library 9th May 7pm


Assertiveness Training Workshops for Teenagers with High Functioning Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome) Naas Library 13th May 10am


We Have Special Needs Too - Helping the Siblings of Children with Special Needs Naas Library 18th May 7pm


Visit www.kildare.ie/library for a brochure and for more information. Athy Library : Tel 059 8631144 Email athylib@kildarecoco.ie Kildare Library: Tel 045 520235 Email: kildarelib@kildarecoco.ie Leixlip Library: Tel: 01 6060050 Email: leixliplib@kildarecoco.ie Naas Library: Tel 045 879111 Email: naaslib@kildarecoco.ie Newbridge Library: Tel 045 448353 Email: newbridgelib@kildarecoco.ie


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