|
Selective Mutism in Children (Second Edition)
Cline & Baldwin
Whurr Publishers (2004) pp. 253 Price £29.99
ISBN: 1 86156 362 0
Review:
This excellent text-book written by two acknowledged authorities on SM contains a vast amount of information on the subject. The authors, both psychologists, one of whom is in close contact with SMIRA (Sylvia Baldwin BA MSc) stress that since publishing the first edition (1995), there have been recognizable changes with regard to theory as well as treatment of SM. They suggest that readers, who seek a non-technical introduction to the understanding and helping of SM children may choose to concentrate on Chapters 1,2,3,4,7 & 8.
The authors are of the opinion that anxiety plays a central part in the causation of SM although other important factors impinging on the child and family must not be ignored. At school SM children are often described as controlling; this may be a reaction to overpowering anxiety arising from an inborn, temperamentally based predisposition to react with fear to unfamiliar people and events, known as ‘behavioural inhibition.’
For parents and practitioners Chapter 4 ‘Education’ and Chapter 7 ‘Linking Assessment and Intervention’ are of special interest. The authors stress that before contemplating intervention a systematic assessment of the child’s particular situation must be undertaken, ascertaining in detail the child’s pattern of speaking and non-speaking. Also attention should be paid to the family situation, relationships in the home, siblings etc. SM is more common in ethnic minority families, their attitude to speaking as well as the child’s familiarity with spoken English needs investigating.
It is now recognized that parents play an important part in both assessment and treatment (p.150) as does the child’s teacher. Onset of the condition is usually between 3 and 5 years of age, though parents have known about the child’s problem usually before then. Girls are more likely to be affected, the likely incidence being 0.5% of all hospital referrals. The authors are in favour of early intervention before the condition becomes entrenched.
The book has four very useful appendices which will be of great help to parents, practitioners and other professionals such as SENCos.
Finally, there is a list of addresses of parents’ support groups in the UK as well as the USA , and selected websites.
The book has a substantial Author Index (3-1/2 pages) and Subject Index (7 pages) which enables the reader to find passages of special interest.
Alice Sluckin – Chair, SMIRA
© SMIRA 2004
|
Publications 
RSS Feed