Donkeys help five-year-old to "find his voice".Byline: ANI London, Sept 8 (ANI): Donkeys have helped a five-year-old boy suffering from selective mutism Selective mutism is a social anxiety disorder in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations. Description In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders selective mutism is described as a rare psychological - a severe childhood anxiety disorder anxiety disorder n. Any of various psychiatric disorders in which anxiety is either the primary disturbance or is the result of confronting a feared situation or object. in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations -to "find his voice". Edward Wright Edward Gordon Dundas Wright (born October 3, 1884 - died June 5, 1947) was an English amateur football (soccer) player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics. He was part of the English team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament. He played one match. was diagnosed with selective mutism at the age two. His mother, Michelle, says she wasn't worried initially but gradually she could not help noticing his silence. The Daily Express quoted her as saying: "I was worried...He'd chat at home but if we were in a supermarket or at the doctors he wouldn't say a word. It was as if he was scared of people he didn't know hearing his voice." "At nursery he'd point to pictures of what he wanted to do each day rather than telling the staff. At first we thought he was just shy," she added. Although Edward's family could not understand his behaviour, his speech therapist speech therapist Speech pathologist, speech/language therapist A health professional trained to evaluate and treat voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorders–eg, hearing impairment, that affect communication. See Speech pathology. said his symptoms showed he was suffering from selective mutism. Edward's special coordinater suggested visits to a donkey-riding centre might help. The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust (EST EST electroshock therapy. EST abbr. electroshock therapy ) For Children And Donkeys is situated on the outskirts of Leeds. Every week nearly 150 children with disabilities and special needs spend time with the donkeys here. Michelle explained: "The idea was that the games and activities Edward would do with the donkeys might help him overcome whatever was stopping him talking." Edward attended sessions at the centre last September and showed marked improvement in the weeks to follow. Michelle said: "Gradually he became more confident...after a few weeks he began whispering commands into the donkeys' ears. Later he would say instructions out loud to stop and start them while riding. It was lovely to see." She added: "At school he now talks to friends in the playground Playground - A visual language for children, developed for Apple's Vivarium Project. OOPSLA 89 or 90? and he answers teachers when they ask questions. Every day he has an hour or two of speech therapy which also helps. "Edward talks about the donkeys a lot, especially his favourite one Eeyore. The donkeys really have helped him find his voice." (ANI) Copyright 2009 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency. (ANI) - All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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