Table of Contents
Note to the Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .xiii
Introduction: Meeting Selective Mutism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xv
Part 1: Breaking the Lie: "He's Just Shy"
1. Beating the Bullies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2. Bonding Over Farting: New Beginnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3. Beyond Shyness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Part 2: Life With Selective Mutism
4. Diagnosing Selective Mutism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
5. Protective Momma Bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
6. Fighting Fear with Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
7. A Milestone: First Day of Kindergarten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
8. The Impact of Togetherness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
9. Giant Leap of Progress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
10. Using Anger as an Outlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .48
11. Saying Hi in First Grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .53
12. Selective Mutism Is Much More than Being Silent . . . . . .58
13. Breakthrough Blessings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
14. A Shred of Normalcy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
15. Left Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .74
16. Babysitter Blues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .79
17. Second Grade Introductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .87
Part 3: Winning The War On Selective Mutism
18. Trevor Talks! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
19. Overcoming Selective Mutism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..100
20. School Presentations Read Aloud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
21. Leo the Lion Finds His Voice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .114
22. Quiet Gestures Make Loud Impressions. . . . . . . . . . . . .121
23. Gaining a Furry Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .126
24. Running for Student Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .133
25. Benefits of Animal Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .138
26. Trevor's Veterans Day Speech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
27. Saying Goodbye to Grandma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
28. From Struggler to Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .154
29. Curing Selective Mutism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ..161
Epilogue: Finding Hope Through Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . ..165
Appendices
1. Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..171
2. Practical Application Chapter Discussion Points. . . . . . . .173
3. Treatment Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .190
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .193
About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... ..197
About the Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .199
About the Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Your Next Steps in the Journey Through Selective Mutism . .203