Symptom characteristics:

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that causes the inability to speak in certain social environments. It is not a language disorder. Children with this disorder can speak normally in familiar environments such as home, but become completely silent when they go to school, public places, or in front of strangers. This is not because they are "deliberately not speaking," but because their speech is interrupted due to intense social anxiety. The disease usually begins in childhood and can persist into adolescence or adulthood if not intervened, affecting academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and self-confidence. Selective mutism may be accompanied by traits such as avoidant personality and social phobia, and some individuals even develop a coping mechanism of "verbal avoidance-silent protection." Although on the surface they are "not speaking," they are actually highly sensitive to judgmental environments. Treatment emphasizes the coordination of gradual exposure, verbal behavior training, and family support to help children gradually build up their language output ability in a sense of security.

Help patients establish a sense of psychological security, gradually restore their ability to express themselves in a variety of situations, rebuild their social confidence, and reduce their dependence on the behavior of "silence = safety".

Course Objectives:

This course aims to help participants (especially children) gradually overcome the defensive "silence-withdrawal" reaction in specific situations. Through non-judgmental language guidance, safe situation simulations, social exposure ladder training, and parent-child support strategies, students gradually build confidence in expressing themselves. Incorporating gentle music, breathwork exercises, and psychological reinforcement, the course helps participants develop a sense of social safety where they feel they can speak and be understood.

Lesson 37:Understanding the nature of selective mutism

It's not that you don't want to talk, it's that you're protecting yourself from being startled.

Silence is not indifference, but a way you have chosen to survive.

Being understood is the first door to open silence.

Lesson 38:Improve non-verbal expression skills

You can be seen in many ways, not just through words.

A look, a gesture, can also convey the real you.

Before you find the words, let your body and expressions speak for themselves.

Lesson 39:Establish a "psychological safety belt before speaking"

You don't have to say anything until you feel safe.

Psychological security is the soil before every word is born.

Establishing "preparation before speaking" is a gentle way to take care of yourself.

Lesson 40:Practice from "Silence" to "Gradually Turning Up the Volume"

The sound doesn't need to be huge all at once, a small start is already great.

Every time you speak out, you are trying to overcome your fear.

Silence is not the end, it is just a transition waiting to be understood.

Lesson 41:The first step to speaking bravely (external situation exposure)

You can speak up with fear and still be brave.

The world out there can be stressful, but you're not alone.

When you speak a word, you express the light of your existence to the world.

Lesson 42:Healing integration and restoration of confidence

Those days of silence do not erase the voice in your heart.

Confidence is not about the volume of your voice, but whether you dare to express your truth.

You are returning to your voice and your powerful self.

Please complete the course evaluation to review your learning and provide suggestions. This will help you deepen your understanding and help us improve the course.