Seeking Help For Selective Mutism In Kids

Is your child suffering from Selective Mutism? Consider specialist services to improve this little-known condition.

“But she speaks perfectly at home…” says Mama to the teacher, bewildered by the suggestion that her child experiences linguistic challenges at school. Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder characterised by the persistent inability to speak in certain social settings, or with certain people. The condition goes beyond simply being shy, bashful or timid; it can affect anyone, but it is especially prevalent in younger children.

While its causes are not fully understood, the good news is that it’s possible to reduce the severity and frequency of Selective Mutism symptoms with treatment. Some children may even see symptoms vanish entirely as they mature into adolescence or adulthood.

Raising a child with a mental health condition can be daunting, but it needn’t be a lonely endeavour thanks to continually improving awareness, resources and treatment. There are also specialised healthcare providers in Hong Kong to help children with this condition live their lives to the fullest, free of fear and anxiety.

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A Professional Opinion

Registered clinical psychologist Mary Lee, who has ample experience treating children affected by Selective Mutism at various centres in Hong Kong, shares her thoughts on this condition:

We’ve made such progress in raising awareness on Selective Mutism. Things have definitely improved, though we’re still not quite at the level of other developed Western countries, even in terms of mental health awareness in general.

“It’s tough, especially for children in Hong Kong. Despite the progress we’ve made, there is still a stigma when it comes to seeking help for mental health issues. Most children suffering from Selective Mutism are diagnosed when they start kindergarten. In extreme circumstances, cases can remain undiagnosed, and the child’s condition is only discovered when they reach primary school, or even high school age. The adults in their lives may have lacked understanding of this condition — or it could have been the result of ingrained practices in the local education system, favouring quiet, non-disruptive behaviour.”

Lee goes on to say, “Picture this: a child does not speak at school, which they have made a habit for the last 10 years. No one offered them guidance, and so it has become their norm. Is this a habit that can be undone within 10 or even 20 sessions with a mental health professional? A late Selective Mutism diagnosis can exponentially increase difficulty of treatment. That is why I urge all parents to seek the help of qualified mental health professionals if they suspect their child is experiencing difficulty with communication.”

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Selective Mutism Association Of Hong Kong

Speech and Language Pathologist Wincy Cheng spent the majority of her childhood wondering why she felt such immense difficulty talking to others. Back then, Selective Mutism was a scarcely understood condition in Hong Kong, and Wincy suffered in silence. Having overcome her condition, Wincy founded the Selective Mutism Association of Hong Kong to do help other affected individuals heal, as well as educate the population about this condition.

The Selective Mutism Association of Hong Kong offers a myriad of services, including hosting public lectures and professional training. More importantly, the association provides referral services with special concessions for individuals in need (such as low-income families). The association is deeply entrenched in the local mental health industry and has access to a plethora of qualified individuals, ensuring that your family can connect to professionals best suited to their specific needs.

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Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Ho Yuk Ching Educational Psychology Service Centre

The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals date back to the 1870s and is one of the oldest and largest charitable organisations in Hong Kong. In 2010, they established the Ho Yuk Ching Educational Psychology Service Centre to provide dedicated mental health services to students in Hong Kong.

The Selective Mutism programs offered at Ho Yuk Ching Centre are catered towards children between the ages of 3 and 8, where therapy can dramatically improve the prognosis of children affected by Selective Mutism. The specific approach being utilised is the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Selective Mutism, a research-tested behavioural therapy designed to improve verbal and non-verbal participation, as well as reduce parent over-accommodation. Parents and their children are coached live in private sessions to help them shape new interaction patterns. The children can then apply the techniques learned in other social settings.

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Central Health Child Development Team

Headed by Director Dr Melissa Ortega Giglio, the Central Health Child Development Team consists of experienced professionals committed to supporting healthy development of children and their families. Dr Giglio herself has over 15 years of experience as a behavioural therapist and actually specialises in treating Selective Mutism in children. In 2016, she created Confident Crew, an intensive therapy programme for children diagnosed with Selective Mutism and social phobia.

The Confident Crew programme is a conducted in a small group setting, inside a classroom environment, and is structured like a school day to simulate the social challenges children face in everyday life. Under the supervision of therapists, children engage in fun, challenging activities while practicing verbal interaction with peers to speak with confidence.

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Hong Kong Children Association

Established in 2016, the Hong Kong Children Association has a long track record of working with schools and companies to promote emotional education and effective parenting skills. Supporting families with children affected by Selective Mutism happens to be one of their fortes, and its team of seasoned clinical psychologists are eager to help your child overcome the challenges of this condition.

A highlight is the social communication training group. Within these sessions, children of similar ages are placed in groups of four to six and encouraged to speak utilising techniques taught by supervising professionals. This is an integral element in helping children with Selective Mutism overcome their condition, as they are able to train their communication skills and build confidence within a safe, non-judgmental environment.

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