Elective Mutism 101

Bismillah..

sat in a circle

seven of us

narrating the hadith on malaikat (angels) who spread their wings

to provide their own circle of comfort around us, rahmat from Allah swt

for those who learn

wanting to learn about His deen

to send His love for those who do good deeds

Ammar was strangely quite then

whilst reciting Surah Al-Fatihah

suddenly his tears burst

everyone were in alarm while finishing the surah

I gestured quietly to him to sit by me

it was a long time before he managed to say it

that he felt fear

not of malaikat, parents, etc..

about someone

at that moment, felt the acute need to shelter these kids

aware how seven souls, seven hearts float about that place

own individuals, with own hopes and fears, despite being 5-years-olds

how important it is to encourage them to express more

so that they understand their own footing in this world

whether they trip, bump or get blisters while off to their adventures

there'll be a safety net, saying that it'll be ok

was thinking of Torey Hayden's book I've just read, then

have managed a few collection of her works

non-fictions...her real experiences with special education

of children who 'choose' not to speak

On a deep level, I can relate to her in so many ways

how we're somehow drawn to these children (mute, shy ones)

our teaching methods, our natural intuition to understand a child's emotions

how we caught their simplest gestures..or rather, I'm learning how to see like her

my introduction to elective mute begins with Syazwan

fate has it, I encountered Torey's book a few weeks after that 

compare to hundreds of educational books (teaching methods, class management, etc)

one of her novel is enough 

;D


and there's one point I found her most endearing in all non-fiction I've read
she is herself
didn't try to hide her flaws
stood by her own convictions, own up to her own anger

and still willing to listen, to be open of other possibilities despite personality clashes
a very human humane book :)

a few of my own personal library:

Who is Torey Hayden

Her qualification for writing these books

 Born: 21 May, 1951 in Livingston, Montana, USA

Dr. Michael Marlowe of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, USA has undertaken extensive academic research on the effective use of Torey's books in training new teachers and how the books can affect long-term attitudes towards individuals with special needs.
During the 1970s Torey studies elective mutism, which was at that time poorly-reported.
Most of her work was done in conjunction with work at the Department of Maternal and Child Health and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Minnesota. She presented her research to the national conference of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1978. And is a well known and respected name in her profession

A very full and colourful Career in teaching and education/psychology

- - -