Dear Readers: I am writing this short note to inform you that I have been working with Selective Mutism for a few years now. I cannot emphasize enough the need for pediatricians and educators to be well informed about Selective Mutism and about other types of anxiety that are more common in young children than previously thought about. There is enough research to indicate that if a child shows symptoms of anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, special phobias, and even generalized anxiety early in life, that unless the child is correctly and immediately treated for the condition, that it is highly likely that the symptoms and problems will become chronic and treatment will have to be more intense and aggressive later on in life. So, parents, if you suspect that your child is not "just shy", but so shy to the point of not being able to communicate and to speak to her/his teacher and friends at school, look for more information, and for more help. Talk to your pediatrician, to educators, and to other parents about it. You can look for more information on Selective Mutism at the www.selectivemutism.org, and you can also look for my book about Selective Mutism, "Sophie's Story: A Guide to Selective Mutism". You can also visit the Smart Center website, and NYU Child Study Center. Sincerely, Vera Joffe, Ph.D.

I have been very pleased with providing consultation as well as direct services to many areas in Florida. I travel to a specific city or town, and spend the day with the parents, teachers, pediatricians, ballet teacher, music teacher, sport coach, and extended family. We develop a "team approach" to helping the child feel more comfortable in the various settings, and we develop goals to help the child lower her/his anxiety levels in the various settings, and as a consequence, to communicate in various levels with the people involved in her/his life.