Creating Parent Capacity in Cases of Selective Mutism

Abstract

This paper draws on a capacity-building initiative by the researcher to prepare the parents of nine selectively mute (SM) children to take the lead in their child’s change process towards, gradually and in tiny steps, starting to speak in more situations and to more people. Egan’s skilled helper model is used as a framework in the parent guidance group. Focus group interviews in the parent group make up the data set for the project, along with the parents’ written answers to questions arising from Egan’s skilled helper model between meetings. Content analysis is used to analyse the data. A common theme among the families is how to find the right balance between supporting and challenging the SM child in communication with others. How to promote greater independence in parent–child relationships is the main question from the project.