Imagine walking into your place of employment, the grocery store, church, or the mall. As soon as you enter the door, you become overwhelmed with anxiety. You are terrified and become frozen with so much fear that you cannot utter a sound, make eye contact with those around you, or even nod your head in […]
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Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines
Stressed Out! Helping the Child With Selective Mutism Cope With Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety can range from physical symptoms such as a stomach ache to hoarding items and objects to moodiness and sleep disturbances. For the child with Selective Mutism, anxiety manifests in different ways and in varying degrees, but the hallmark symptom is an inability to talk in certain social situations, usually at school and […]
Posted inFeatured
Beyond the Jitters: Selective Mutism and Social Phobia
Let’s face it: many, if not most, children would rather stay home than go to school. Most children are ecstatic to have a snow day, a long weekend, and winter and summer vacations. However, once they are at school, they become happily distracted by interacting with their friends, the day’s lessons, lunchtime, and recess. Sadly, […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Special Education
Stone Silent: Chipping Away at the Selective Mutism Barrier
Having a student in your classroom with Selective Mutism (S.M.) can be frustrating, confusing, and lead to a feeling of helplessness. You may wonder, “How can I help this child who will not respond to me, talk to me, or to his classmates?” Selective Mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder that may present as oppositional, […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Parents
Why Christopher Won’t Talk: Selective Mutism
Have you ever had a student in your class who did not talk? A student who never smiled, spoke out loud to you, to classmates, to anyone? A child who would not even whisper, gesture, laugh, or cry- not even at lunch or on the playground? If so, that child may have been more than […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, Featured, Special Education
My Most Frustrating Wonderful Student
In honor of Selective Mutism Month, The Educator’s Room will continue to bring your stories about selective mutism and how this condition affects both students and teachers. By Anne Tenaglia *All names have been changed along with any personal information Amari Grady* may have been the most frustratingly wonderful student I have taught. He passed […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, From the Front Lines, Special Education, Uncategorized
Cyber School Chronicles: Why I Chose a Cyber Charter School to Educate My Children At Home
A few months ago, my husband and I started to seriously discuss homeschooling our youngest child. The one with Selective Mutism. The one that although has struggled since he entered preschool as a three year old, has made incredible progress with his social anxiety. His academic performance is within the normal range, he ended […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
4 Rules for Working in a High Poverty Environment
My life changed forever when I decided to take a position as a teacher in the largest school district in Tennessee, Memphis City Schools. From the moment I took the position, I had people question if I was “ready” to work in an high poverty environment where many of the students came from backgrounds that […]