Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents

By: Christopher A. Kearney

Selective mutism, or refusal or unwillingness to speak in certain situations or settings, poses a particular challenge to educators and other school-based professionals.

Helping Your Child with Selective Mutism

By: Dr. Angela McHolm

This book offers a broad overview of SM for parents, reviews diagnostic criteria for the disorder, offers a plan to use when coordinating professional treatment.

Learning to Play the Game

By: Jonathan Kohlmeier

In Learning to Play the Game: My Journey through Silence, author Jonathan Kohlmeier shares a coming-of-age memoir of his young life living with selective mutism—an extreme form of social anxiety.

Overcoming Selective Mutism: The Parent’s Field Guide

By: Dr. Aimee Kotrba

This comprehensive guidebook offers parents the knowledge and guidance to move their child beyond silence. Discover a creative and motivating journey theme to introduce tools that help parents and children conquer some common challenges.

Painfully Shy: How to Overcome Social Anxiety and Reclaim Your Life

By: Drs. Barbara and Gregory Markway

This book offers an overview of social anxiety, symptoms of the disorder, possible causes, methods of treatment, including self-treatment options. It also has case histories, an appendix section with helpful tips for parents, and additional resources.

Selective Mutism in Our
Own Words

By: Carl Sutton and Cheryl Forrester

People with selective mutism share their personal experiences of the condition, shedding light on how it affects everyday life and activities at home, school, and in relationships. Young people and adults describe how they cope with SM and its associated difficulties.

Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide

By: Dr. Aimee Kotrba

Selective Mutism: A Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents provides an effective, research-based behavioral intervention plan for the successful treatment of selective mutism.

Supplement Treatment Guide for Understanding Katie

By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

This guide is meant to supplement the storybook Understanding Katie. It helps explain Katie’s feelings and actions throughout the day and introduces tactics and techniques for parents, teachers, and treating professionals when helping a selectively mute child. 

The Selective Mutism Resource Manual

By: Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens

For anyone who needs to understand, assess, or manage selective mutism, this comprehensive, practical manual is grounded in behavioral psychology and anxiety management and draws on relevant research findings as well as the authors’ extensive clinical experience.

The Selective Mutism Treatment Guide: Manuals for Parents, Teachers and Therapists

By: Ruth Perednik

The Selective Mutism Treatment Guide: Manuals for Parents, Teachers, and Therapists, is an innovative, effective approach to the treatment of selective mutism, which is based both on rich clinical experience spanning two decades and on theoretical knowledge of how selective mutism is generally viewed and treated today. 

Treatment for Children with Selective Mutism: An Integrative Behavioral Approach

By: R. Lindsey Bergman

This resource outlines the sequence and essential elements to guide clinicians through a comprehensive, integrated program for young children who display symptoms of SM. This approach utilizes behavioral interventions targeting gradual increases in speaking across settings in which the child initially has difficulty. 

The Ideal Classroom Setting For the Selectively Mute Child

By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

This guidebook provides parents, teachers, and treating professionals with advice to understand the needs of a child with selective mutism in the school setting. This edition incorporates more details and strategies for the classroom and common questions. Recommendations on testing and IEP development are also included.

The Selective Mutism Summer Vacation & Back-to-School Guide

By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s “The Selective Mutism Summer Vacation and Back-To-School Guide; Recommendations and Strategies for Building Social Communication Skills” is an excellent resource for parents, educators, therapists, and others who spend time with a child with selective mutism.

The Silence Within: A Teacher/Parent Guide to Helping Shy and Selectively Mute Children

By: Gail Goetze Kervatt

This book describes one teacher’s experience working with a selectively mute child in her classroom. Also described is the process that followed in the child overcoming the disorder after five years of mutism. This book includes the child’s handwritten weekly goals, daily strategies and activities, resources, references, and reproducible worksheets.

Supplement To: “The Silence Within”

By: Gail Goetze Kervatt

This supplemental guide contains an IEP form to use as a guide with goals and objectives developed specifically for selective mutism. This book provides the reader with many other useful forms including Classroom Strategies for the Teacher, Ranking Fears, Goals, School Communication, and a School Information Sheet.

A Spot of Blue

By: Dr. Stephanie Margolese

This book is a simple and wonderful story that shows what happens when we focus too much on our worries. It provides six practical tools to help us when we get worry spots. It’s a great book for any child living with selective mutism that includes a forward and collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Margolese.

Can I Tell You About Selective Mutism?

By: Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens

Meet Hannah, a young girl with selective mutism. Hannah invites readers to learn about SM from her perspective, helping them to understand what it is, what it feels like, and how they can help. This book is packed with accessible information and is an ideal introduction to SM.

Charli’s Choices

By: LCSW-R Marian B. Moldan

Charli is a little girl who has selective mutism (SM). Her mom sets up a playdate with Charli’s friend Lily, who helps her feel comfortable. There are cute, colorful drawings of Charli and Lily that make the book attractive. The author Marian Moldan has been changing the lives of the children and families with whom she works.

Maya’s Voice

By: Wen-Wen Cheng

Maya is a bright-eyed, inquisitive little girl who loves to share her sweet voice. But when she starts school, she loses the confidence to use her voice and goes about her school day in silence. With time, patience, understanding, and love from all those around her, Maya discovers her sweet voice.

Good Dreams Are On The Way

By: Elaheh Bos

This meditative sleep aid helps children relax through creative visualization and guided relaxation. It also helps them feel sheltered through the soothing affirmation that good dreams are on the way.

Leo’s Words Disappeared

By: Elaheh Bos

As Leo starts school, something strange happens. His words disappear! Now Leo must find new ways to give his words the courage to come back. A fun and practical introduction to different techniques of anxiety management, specifically used for children with selective mutism.

Milo, the Brave!

By: Elaheh Bos

Starting school is one of the changes in early childhood that can be most anxiety-provoking for young children. This book was created to help children to alleviate their own anxiety and maximize their excitement, making the transition from home to school as smooth and fun as possible. Milo is nervous about starting school. To get ready, he is embarking on a grand adventure and he would like your help. As he completes each quest, he learns a coping skill and takes a step closer to his goal. Let’s not forget those 15 great badges he gets to add to his book!

Sam’s Big Secret: Coping with Fear

By: Dr. Stephanie Margolese

This Sam has a BIG SECRET. He is embarrassed that a brave turtle, like him, is terrified of water. Whenever he approaches a river, Sam has trouble breathing, his heart pounds quickly, and his body shakes. Sam thinks something terrible is going to happen, so he hides in his shell to calm down. The more Sam avoids the water and makes excuses to his friends, the bigger his fear grows and the worse he feels. Sam realizes he has let FEAR take control of his life. He is determined to overcome his fear. Through his journey, Sam uses different strategies that allow him to face and conquer his fear.

Sophie’s Story

By: Dr. Vera Joffe

“Sophie’s Story: A Guide To Selective Mutism” is directed to children, parents, and teachers. This book also provides a guide to develop a plan for a team approach to interventions at school, and at home.

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum is the president and director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center (Smart Center), the executive medical director and founder of the Selective Mutism Association Childhood Anxiety Network Inc., and a clinical assistant professor of Family Medicine and Psychology PCOM.

Understanding Katie

By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

This picture storybook details a day in the life of Katie, a child with selective mutism. Through her experiences at home and school on a typical day, readers gain insight into the everyday struggles and triumphs of children with SM. Parents can learn from Katie’s mother as she helps her child through the anxious moments of the day, and children with SM will identify with Katie and take comfort in knowing that there are other children “just like them.” The pictures in the book are in outline form, allowing children to color the pictures and personalize their storybook.

I Am Brave

By: Chelsea Gamache

‘I Am Brave’ tells the story of a young girl with selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that makes speaking in certain situations very difficult. This story teaches positive affirmations and that progress is possible when you take it one step at a time. Written by an author who overcame selective mutism, this book gives unique insight into what it feels like being unable to talk. This book is perfect for children struggling with anxiety or selective mutism. It can also be used as a tool to teach peers about compassion and understanding.

I Want Your Moo

By: Marcella Bakur Weiner and Jill Neimark

This children’s story features Toodles, the turkey, who dislikes the sound of her “gobble gobble.” She struggles for self-acceptance, and eventually sees victory over her self-doubt when the very voice she dislikes saves the day. This story reinforces that all of our attributes are important, promoting a healthy sense of self-worth and acceptance with each reading. Recommended for children ages four to eight.

Mason is Learning to Roar

By: Dr. Monique Mondesir and Michael Millington

Mason is a young lion with selective mutism, a childhood anxiety disorder which prevents him from speaking in a school setting. This book opens with highlighting Mason’s playful and boisterous personality at home and contrasts it with his school experience where he is silent all day. With support from his parents and teachers, Mason slowly learns to overcome his anxiety in the classroom. This book also emphasizes that treating selective mutism requires patience and understanding since progress and behavioral change are slow. However, each small gain should be celebrated.

My Friend Daniel Doesn’t Talk

By: Sharon L. Longo

This beautifully illustrated book can be used to educate children so they may understand that there are children like Daniel who are so “shy” or socially anxious that they are unable to talk to others. It offers empathy to the child who is still mute at school, helping the child and peers understand the situation better. This book may be suitable for friends and/or siblings of a selectively mute child. This is also an excellent classroom resource to help teachers understand SM and explain it to their students.

Sharon Longo’s Book, “My Friend Daniel Doesn’t Talk” (Speechmark Publishing, October 2006), won the title of Highly Commended in the 2007 British Medical Association Patient Information Award (Printed Materials).

Unspoken Words

By: Sophia Blum

Written by a teenager who suffered from selective mutism, this book is directed to children with SM as well as parents, professionals, and teachers to help them understand a child’s unspoken words when they are unable to speak and express themselves. Sophia Blum is Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s daughter and wrote this book to help others understand. “Unspoken Words” begins with a letter to children helping them know they are not alone, and others feel as they do. The book also includes a letter to parents, professionals, and teachers reading the book with the goal of helping them understand what a child with SM feels like and may want to say, but can’t, regarding various social settings, such as in public, with guests at home, friends who visit, and with teachers/peers at school.

What to Do When You Dread Your Bed

By: Dr. Dawn Huebner

This book teaches magic and sleep tricks designed to tackle even the toughest nighttime problems—fears, busy brains, restless bodies, and the inability to sleep alone. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to fall asleep and stay asleep—like magic!

What to Do When You Grumble Too Much

By: Dr. Dawn Huebner

This book guides children and their parents through cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat negative thinking. Lively metaphors and illustrations help kids see life’s hurdles in a new way, while drawing and writing activities help them master skills to get over those hurdles. And step-by-step instructions point the way toward becoming happier, more positive kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change. Recommended for children ages six through 12.

What to Do When You Worry Too Much

By: Dr. Dawn Huebner

This award-winning interactive book helps children master the skills they need to respond differently to their overgrown worries. CBT techniques proven to be effective in the treatment of anxiety are presented in an engaging, easy-to-understand manner, empowering children to stand up to their fears, shrinking those overgrown worries down to size. Recommended for children six to 12.

What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck

By: Dr. Dawn Huebner

“What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck” guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Revealing OCD in a whole new light, this interactive self-help book turns kids into super-sleuths who can recognize OCD’s tricks. Engaging examples, activities, and step-by-step instructions help children master the skills needed to break free from the sticky thoughts and urges of OCD, and live happier lives. This is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change. Recommended for children ages six to 12.

What to Do When Your Temper Flares

By: Dr. Dawn Huebner

Did you know that anger is like fire? It starts with a spark, igniting us with energy and purpose. But it can also blaze out of control, causing lots of problems. If you’re a kid whose temper quickly flares, a kid whose anger gets too big, too hot, too fast, this book is for you.

“What to Do When Your Temper Flares” guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat problems with anger. Engaging examples, lively illustrations, and step-by-step instructions teach children a set of “anger dousing” methods aimed at cooling angry thoughts and controlling angry actions, resulting in calmer, more effective kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change.

When Fuzzy was Afraid of Big and Loud Things

By: Inger Maler

In this tale, Fuzzy is afraid of loud sounds such as thunder, lightning, and the large animals on the farm who make big noises! Fuzzy’s father helps him desensitize to these big and loud noises using a number of behavioral practices. Each time Fuzzy is afraid, his father gently encourages and reassures him, helping him imaginatively practice exposure to the loud sounds so he can get used to them while also acquainting Fuzzy with the sources of his fears so they seem less frightening.

Published by the American Psychological Association and recommended for children ages three to seven.

When Fuzzy was Afraid of Losing His Mother

By: Inger Maler

In this tale, Fuzzy the Sheep does not want his mother to leave his side, so she finds a way to help him feel more secure about her absence.

Published by the American Psychological Association and recommended for children ages three to seven.

When Lizzy was Afraid of Trying New Things

By: Inger Maler

Lizzy the Sheep is shy and afraid of failing or making mistakes, so she refuses to play and try new things. Her big brother Fuzzy devises a plan whereby she gets to add a new stone to a rock pile every time she tries something new. She starts out small, but eventually tries more and more things as she gets excited by the growing rock pile and realizes how much fun she is having in her play.

Published by the American Psychological Association and recommended for children ages three to seven.

Easing School Jitters

By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

This guidebook is an updated version of its first edition. It is filled with facts, helpful ideas, reasons that selectively mute children feel the way they do, and interactive exercises to help children identify the things that make them feel good about themselves and the positive aspects of school. Also included is an “Ask the Doc” section featuring the most frequently asked questions about school-related SM issues. This book is a must-have for teachers and parents.