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Is the audio feedforward technique worth trying?
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I am curious about a new treatment technique that I read about on the internet. It is called audio feedforward. Briefly, an adult (to whom the child does not talk) asks the SM child questions, usually 10 or less, on an audiotape. The parent and child make their own tape using the same questions at home. Then the 2 tapes are edited so that only the adult's voice and the child's voice are on the tape. When played for the child he/she just hears the adult asking a question and himself answering back. Do you have any experience with this technique? Does it sound like something that is worthy of trying? My son is 5 and I am considering asking his kindergarten teacher to try it. He has been SM since he began talking around 12-14 mos. He has never spoken to anyone other than family members. His school and teachers are working beautifully with him and he feels very comfortable in the classroom. He will even mouth sounds in front of the teacher, just no volume. My son has been seeing a psychologist since February 2002 and he started on Zoloft in mid July after he experienced a setback in his talking to family members. He began on 25mg and increased to 50mg. After being on the 50 mg dose for a month he would still yawn all day so we decreased it back to 25mg. To be honest we have not seen much difference since beginning the Zoloft. Also, if the Atlanta area has any qualified/knowledgeable therapists, we are searching for a new one. Thank you for any information you can provide.
Answer
Re: AUDIO FEEDBACK
Have NEVER used this technique. My approach to treatment is to be honest and frank with the children. In my eyes, some people use this technique to TRICK them and not in the least bit helping them to learn coping skills. What will happen when another NEW person or situation arises? MOST SM children are incredibly perceptive, intuitive and bright. Therefore, 'tricking' a child will only add doubt, confusion and ambiguity to the child. SO, no, I am not an advocate of this method.
Using honesty and working with the child to HELP them over their anxiety one step at a time where the child is PROACTIVE in their treatment is the method that I recommend.
RE the medication.
First off, what are you doing in terms of behavioral treatment. Children who take meds and are not involved in treatment make progress that reaches a standstill. You need an organized, stepwise approach to helping your son overcome his fears. Please read the other "Ask the Doc" questions. Many describe various types of treatment tactics to help build the coping skills. In addition, in my professional opinion, 50 mg of Zoloft is way too much for a 5 yr old (regardless of his weight). My suggestion would be to change medication to Fluoxetine (PROZAC) or PAROXETINE ( PAXIL) and work with a treating professional who can help your son one step at a time. i.e., If he has never SPOKEN to teachers, etc. and most other individuals outside the home, is he able to RESPOND NONVERBALLY? If not, then goals, using his understanding and assessment of his feelings towards helping him RESPOND nonverbally is the place to start.
Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
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