Guest guest Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 ,I have not trained a Selective mutism case with NFB, but there were several clients in a clinic I worked in many years ago.The 3 kids I remember all had serious abuse histories that were contributory to the mutism. One also had some very loose (not quite psychotic type) thinking. These particular kids were mute in almost all settings not just some settings. My understanding of mutism is that for the majority of kids (most under 5 years of age) the mutism is exhibited in a few settings only. In these cases it responds well to behavioral therapy, and sometimes to anxiolytic medication. so I would suspect that NFB along with support and therapy for the social anxiety portion of the problem would be a good bet.I would suggest a very thorough history looking for similar (and other anxiety problems in extended family) , as well as anxiety in family members as well as a thorough brainwave assessmentHas anyone treated a child with selective mutism? It's a childhood anxiety disorder.I'm confident that since it's an anxiety problem, NFB can help... --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 ,I have not trained a Selective mutism case with NFB, but there were several clients in a clinic I worked in many years ago.The 3 kids I remember all had serious abuse histories that were contributory to the mutism. One also had some very loose (not quite psychotic type) thinking. These particular kids were mute in almost all settings not just some settings. My understanding of mutism is that for the majority of kids (most under 5 years of age) the mutism is exhibited in a few settings only. In these cases it responds well to behavioral therapy, and sometimes to anxiolytic medication. so I would suspect that NFB along with support and therapy for the social anxiety portion of the problem would be a good bet.I would suggest a very thorough history looking for similar (and other anxiety problems in extended family) , as well as anxiety in family members as well as a thorough brainwave assessmentHas anyone treated a child with selective mutism? It's a childhood anxiety disorder.I'm confident that since it's an anxiety problem, NFB can help... --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 ,I have not trained a Selective mutism case with NFB, but there were several clients in a clinic I worked in many years ago.The 3 kids I remember all had serious abuse histories that were contributory to the mutism. One also had some very loose (not quite psychotic type) thinking. These particular kids were mute in almost all settings not just some settings. My understanding of mutism is that for the majority of kids (most under 5 years of age) the mutism is exhibited in a few settings only. In these cases it responds well to behavioral therapy, and sometimes to anxiolytic medication. so I would suspect that NFB along with support and therapy for the social anxiety portion of the problem would be a good bet.I would suggest a very thorough history looking for similar (and other anxiety problems in extended family) , as well as anxiety in family members as well as a thorough brainwave assessmentHas anyone treated a child with selective mutism? It's a childhood anxiety disorder.I'm confident that since it's an anxiety problem, NFB can help... --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 , I have treated a child with this problem, which was really nested in a general anxiety disorder with OCDish tendencies. I got improvement with a combination of EEG, and pirHEG, then added LENS later. It was a very, very nice response - and since the anxiety component was so strong we could see the changes relatively quickly. Alpha-Stim was also helpful. Merrifield -------------- Original message from " St. Clair" : -------------- Has anyone treated a child with selective mutism? It's a childhood anxiety disorder. I'm confident that since it's an anxiety problem, NFB can help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to communicate, but still no words. Any neurofeedback suggestions? Thank you Dana Rutschilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Is selective mutism a neurological problem? Some years ago I taught in a preschool where a young boy would not talk in school (gestured and pulled on the teacher) but talked a blue streak at home. The staff considered it a psycholgical problem encouraged by an overprotective home environment. I left the school before he came into my class and don't know how the language developed as he matured (he was 4 and a half when he was in our school and bright and alert in every other respect). I would be interested to hear more about selective mutism. Thanks, Suzanne > > Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a > young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo > girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected > family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, > and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she > gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to communicate, > but still no words. > > Any neurofeedback suggestions? > > Thank you Dana Rutschilling > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Dana, I don't have direct experince with selective mutism and NF but havoing seen a couple of children with selective mtism before I learned NF I think it is important at this point, if the brainwaves indicate NF is working, to introduce some talking tasks during neurofeedback the same way that one would introduce reading or listening tasks. If this doesn't work or even if it works, there is probably also a need to bring in other forms of interventtions such as suggested on this site, of which I paste a few below the link: http://www.selectivemutismfoundation.org/sound.shtml THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS: For young children a play therapy approach is recommended.The therapist should have enough materials such as games, pretend situations, and coloring materials to allow the child to feel comfortable without initial communication. Allow the child to take the lead.Do not force interaction or participation, and do not focus exclusively on verbal responses until the child feels secure and comfortable. Music and art are wonderful tools for promoting interaction and communication. As treatment progresses, work towards successive approximations such as a sign system, verbal cues, one word responses leading to full sentences as more language develops. Ask the parents what are the child's favorite pastimes and activities and try to provide them in the office setting. Keep the focus on the child and the present moment. Remember, be creative. Use telephones, microphones, screens, puppets to allow the child a means of communication through projective approaches. Keep in mind that anxiety is a big underlying factor and promote safety, empowerment and security for the child. Incorporate enhancing self-esteem activities in the therapeutic setting. For some children a behavioral program set with tangible rewards works. Make sure there are a lot of small steps and frequent praise. Involve people, usually parents and siblings, with whom the child does speak. Keep open communication with parents and teachers to follow up treatment progress. Celine > > Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a > young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo > girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected > family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, > and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she > gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to communicate, > but still no words. > > Any neurofeedback suggestions? > > Thank you Dana Rutschilling > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Dana, I have treated some kids with selective mutism, which was nested within a more generalized anxiety disorder. This problem responded very nicely to neurofeedback, and moved the children to a place where they could capiltalize on the other interventions that had already been tried but appeared to have failed (skills training, expressive play, etc.). The simplest thing to do is get them to a place (with neurofeedback) where there's greater spontaneous generation of speech crosssituationally, then begin to help them think through cues that they are becoming more anxious. The kids with whom I have worked were really very shut down in the beginning, and it was a big thing for them to just tolerate being in my office. Look for sensory issues (e.g., level of light in the room) that may be affected by environmental variables. Good luck, -------------- Original message from "Dana Rutschilling, MSW, LISW" : -------------- Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to communicate, but still no words.Any neurofeedback suggestions?Thank you Dana Rutschilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Dana, With regard to specific neurofeedback suggestions - maybe take a look at T3-Fp1and see if you find excessive hibeta there. Train down any apparant excess. -------------- Original message from "Dana Rutschilling, MSW, LISW" : -------------- Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to communicate, but still no words.Any neurofeedback suggestions?Thank you Dana Rutschilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Thank you for all of the information on selective mutism. As I remember the child, anxiety was an issue and the teachers were very gentle with the boy asking him questions but not forcing him to participate. As I think back over my teaching days, there are so many issues that arise with different children and teachers are unprepared with the best ways of dealing with them. Today if a teacher is commited she can go to the internet and get information, but that too can be dangerous if a teacher takes upon herself the diagnosis of a difficult or disturbed child. So many parents refuse to admit their child has a problem and will not seek professional help. You all share so much useful informaton here. It is a very generous forum. Thank you. Suzanne > > > > > > Does anyone have any expereince using neurofeedback to work with a > > > young child with selective mutism? I am working with a delightful 6 yo > > > girl who will only speak at home to her immediate family and selected > > > family friends. She has fast activity consistent with her diagnosis, > > > and I am working with her on reducing it, but after 18 sessions, she > > > gestures and points and writes the five words she knows to > > communicate, > > > but still no words. > > > > > > Any neurofeedback suggestions? > > > > > > Thank you Dana Rutschilling > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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