Selective Mutism School Challenge - Picture Day

Everyone was excited that finally, it was picture day! Even the slobs of the classroom who wore their t-shirts inside-out were dressed up neatly with slicked-back hair and shining faces, let alone the girls who liked to dress up. But wait! Among the kids, there was one girl who is more worried than happy. This was Amy.

Amy waited nervously in line, and as her classmates chattered loudly, she was silent. It was school picture day, and all the kids were lined up to get their picture taken by the photographer. Amy, dreading her turn, counted the people in front of her every time the line moved up. “5...4...3...2...1...0.” It was her turn. She walked forward, sat on the stool, and looked at the camera in front of her. The bright lights intimidated her, and the unfamiliar face of the photographer made her timid. “Smile,” said the photographer, about to take the picture. Amy, however, could not smile. Her face was frozen. She had only one thought in her mind: “Hurry up, Amy, smile!” The photographer repeated, “I said, smile.” Amy sweated nervously. The other kids were impatiently waiting in line, telling Amy to hurry up. Luckily, Amy’s talking buddy, Catherine, cried, “Stop yelling at her!” She walked over to the photographer and whispered that Amy had Selective Mutism and she is very nervous in front of strangers and crowds. The photographer nodded understandingly. They waited a few seconds for Amy to get accustomed to the photographer’s presence. Then, the photographer repeated, “Smile!” Catherine smiled encouragingly. “Come on Amy, you can do this! Come on, you can at least show your teeth. You brushed your teeth, right?” The comfort of her friend helped ease Amy’s nervousness. She couldn’t hold back her laughter at her friend’s joke. The camera flashed, and Amy’s smiling face appeared on the camera’s screen. “Wow, Amy, your picture came out great!” The photographer nodded with a smile. Catherine took Amy’s arm and led her away. Amy walked with her buddy with a big smile.

Strategy: Teachers can let Amy know the photographer beforehand. Also, Amy can be brought to take her picture with a friend before everyone else.

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