My child is not talking in school

[chalupah]

My 5-year old little girl started kindergarten in August this year. She's not taking in class at all, not even to any other children.

>>>> I'm a divorced mom who lost custody of my daughter a year ago due to legal malpractice reasons. My daughter lived with us in my home since birth with her half-brother until we divorced. She has a close bond with her half-brother and me. Her dad moved her out of my home to his parents

[flyfishergirl]

Like i told the other women who was having problems with her child in school when i was in kindergarten i loved it, then my grandpa died and we moved to a new school (lots of stress) all those kids had known each other since preschool and now i was there i cried, didnt talk, played alone, and didnt want to be there at all. Then one day after a couple weeks my brother found a little girl that wanted to play with me after that i didnt feel alone and forgot about all the other problems. Anyways maybe some way you could meet some of your daughters classmates parents and find a sutuible friend for her to play with at home so she feels comfortable with someone at school.. just a thought

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your daughter displays a type of anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism. When this condition occurs in the school setting, it can impede a child's progress for obvious reasons. There are a variety of factors thought to result in this condition, among them an inborn predisposition or temperament, overactivity in a part of the brain called the amygdala (which signals us when there is a perceived danger). It is important not to exert pressure on your daughter to speak - the lack of speech in school is due to a condition of fear. It is wise to seek professional intervention for such selective mutism, so consult with the school psychologist or contact a clinical psychologist or other pediatric mental health professional (who can collaborate with the school).