Selective Mutism In Our Own Words

Carl Sutton and Cheryl Forrester set up and run the iSpeak online support group for older children and adults with Selective Mutism. Carl has had Selective Mutism since childhood, and has carried out research into Selective Mutism at the University of Chester, UK. Cheryl is a qualified social worker, counsellor and nurse. They both live in Wales, UK.

• Acknowledgements. Foreword by Donna Williams. Preface. 1. An experiential introduction to Selective Mutism.2. Selective Mutism - what it is in our own words. 3. Early life and Selective Mutism. 4. Early school experience and Selective Mutism. 5. High school experience and Selective Mutism. 6. Parents' experiences of high school and home-schooling. 7. Becoming an adult with Selective Mutism. 8. Bullying and Selective Mutism. 9. Mutism, family relationships, and the home environment. 10. Those who spoke for me. 11. Selective Mutism and Asperger Syndrome. 12. Selective Mutism and Learning Difficulties. 13. Parents' experiences of Selective Mutism. 14. Therapists' experiences of Selective Mutism. 15. A teacher's experience of helping a child with Selective Mutism to find her voice. 16. How different life would have been without Selective Mutism. 17. Life Stories. Appendix A: Helping a new partner join a family where there is a child with Selective Mutism. Appendix B: Bullying and Selective Mutism. Appendix C: The reasons why I dislike school. References. Index.

Finally, a book to dispel the myth that Selective Mutism is an exclusively childhood condition. My greatest hope is that this valuable contribution to the field will not only improve understanding of the nature and far-reaching effects of SM, but help mobilise Health Services to provide appropriate support for both children and adults.