Selective Mutism strategy Teacher - Lunch with Teacher and Whisp

• Who: Amy, teacher, whisper buddy
• Location: cafeteria
• Environment: in the corner of the cafeteria, away from other tables
• Worry Level: 3
• Purpose: having private time with the teacher and a whisper buddy while using humor promotes conversation and makes everyone more comfortable
• What is Happening: Amy is having lunch with her teacher and whisper buddy. They are inside a room and eating food at a round table. Amy is telling a joke to her whisper buddies and her teacher.

Strategy and Scene

1. Private time with teacher

• Amy sits with her teacher and whisper buddy during lunch.
• They are seated at a table with no one else so Amy is not intimidated and is comfortable with having a conversation.
• Amy is able to feel more comfortable with her teacher and may talk more in class

2. Whisper Buddy/Talking buddy

• Amy, whisper buddy, and the teacher can talk together about school or things going on outside of school.
• The whisper buddy can turn to a talking buddy during or after the lunch.

3. Humor

• Amy tells a joke to her whisper buddy and the teacher now that she is comfortable with communicating with them to make everyone comfortable and strengthen relationship bonds.

It is clearly listed on Amy’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) that in order to establish close relations with Amy to lower her anxiety, help Amy get familiarized with teachers and classmates, and speak up in the class, the teacher can arrange lunch with Amy in the school cafeteria or staff cafeteria.

In order to make Amy feel more at ease, the teacher also invited Amy’s whispering friend, Sofia. The teacher chose a corner table without anyone nearby. The three of them settled at the table and started to eat. The two kids whispered to each other while eating. Amy pointed to an apple on Sofia’s plate. “Ha! You must have heard: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Let me ask you, an onion a day keeps what away?” Sofia shook her head. Amy made a serious face and said, “An onion a day keeps everybody away.” Sofia burst into laughter. The teacher interjected, “What’s so funny? Tell me!” Amy looked at the chicken leg that the teacher had finished eating and thought of a joke her mom had told her a few days ago. “Can I riddle you? Why did they let the chicken join the band?” The teacher pretended to think hard, then winked at Amy. “Because the chicken had the drumsticks!” Sofia was bent over, laughing very hard.

Hint: having lunch with the teacher at school is a good idea. It’s even better to add a couple of friends that Amy is familiar with. They can talk about fun things inside or outside of school. Humor can promote communication and stronger relationships.

Strategy: private time with the teacher, whisper/talking buddy, humorous jokes

Jun Reitman and Ashely Jiao  Wechat:  junwang08837    [e-mail]  SunnyMindEd.org