Realizing a child’s special needs isn’t always a straightforward process, especially when that need includes silence.
The Saratoga Springs City School District is among many in the country that offers services for special needs students and includes IEPs, or individual educational plans, in order to help those students. Recently, the district hosted Dr. Alan J. Barnett, a psychologist from Clifton Park, whospoke on the topic of selective mutism at a Tuesday, Feb. 7, presentation.
Barnett spoke before an audience of almost 40 that includedspeech and language pathologists, school psychologists, parents, teachers andother professionals in the district. Selective mutism is a rare disorder which affects mostly children who are normally capable of speech, but unable to speak in certain situations, including school. The workshop included information on treatment strategies for children in school settings.
“Selective mutism is actually quite rare, affecting 0.3 to 0.8percent of children, per 1,000. It’s been known since the 1880s but the name has changed since then. At one time it was known as elective mutism,” said Barnett.
Most often this condition affects girls and is detected ataround age 6. By that time, said Barnett, the child has had the opportunity to be using language as communication in different situations. A teacher may look for a child who has been developing normally, talks fine at home, but may not talk at all in school – or is very selective about who he or she does talk to in school.
Barnett has been in practice for over 40 years. In that time he said he’s seen approximately 35 children with selective mutism.
He also said teachers and professionals should not jump on such a diagnosis too soon. This is one of the reasons that it isn’t labeled as such until a child has been in school and other social situations.
Criteria for the diagnosis include situational refusal, (where achild may talk with only certain family members for instance, and refuse totalk with others) and normal speech or language in the absence of another disorder.
Barnett explained, “The condition is at the confluence of two disorders. Pragmatic language skills and social anxiety disorders.”
He gave information on intervention plans to help children with the disorder and many techniques for treatment.
A recent survey conducted by the SSCSD’s Office of Pupil Services revealed a positive view of the department’s work. This was a state-mandated survey of parents of students with disabilities and according to Pupil Services Director Deborah Balcanoff, 700 surveys were sent out, with 132 being completed and returned. As far as surveys go, that was a better than expected return rate.
“We were pleased by the response…we’re always trying to do a good job and realize that parents want to do what is best for their children,”said Balcanoff.
Of the surveys returned to Pupil Services, 96.2 percent gave positive responses.
“The school district excelled in the category of partnering with parents in the development of Individualized Education Programs and in the determination of services for students,” stated Maureen Dana, a spokeswoman for the district in a recent email.
The district also participates in Child Find, a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilities and their families who are in need of Early Intervention Programor Preschool Special Education services of the Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act.
Formore information on Pupil Services at the district, or to contact Balcanoff, visit saratogaschools.org.