selective mutism

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selective mutism
By Berkeley

In last years class (2002-2003) I taught a boy with selective mutism. He would speak with other students. In fact he was very talkative. He really didn't like speaking with authority figures. He did speak to me eventually.
I would trick him into it. For example, I would be counting objects with him. I would say, "There are one, two, threeeeeee..." and he would respond, "Four." I led him into the anwers and always on topics which he could be successful in. I also found that the way I approached him dictated his response. If I seemed to authoratative with him, he would shut down. For example, if

he his another student and I told him to say he was sorry. He never once did. He needed to feel in control of the situation or he would just shut down and refuse to speak. Overall it was a successful year and he will be attending a regular first grade class next school year. I hope some of this helps.