My name is Eliza and I don't talk at school

This is not just a great story to read with your SM child, the book also includes two other sections for parents and carers to help get the best out of it. The first section gives advice on how to use the book and the second section breaks down the elements of the story to show how they fit in with an SM therapeutic approach. After you have read the first two sections the third story section really makes sense and gives great examples of the techniques which will help your child including sliding-in/fading-in and brave charts. The story section of the book has lovely colourful pictures on each page.My daughter (8) really enjoyed reading this with me and could easily relate to Eliza's situation. The examples used in the story are ones we have now adopted to help her overcome SM. We will definitely be keeping this book in rotation on my daughter's bedtime reading list and will carry on practising the techniques as often as we can.I cannot recommend this book enough. This is a very accessible way for the whole family to get some fantastic SM advice from one of the country's leading experts in the field.

I’ve just read the book... and also I’ve read it to my daughter. She was so excited and asked if Eliza is her (at the first page). The Eliza’s actions are exactly the same my daughter’s actions. This was essential for get her attention.She wants to go a shop tomorrow, to buy a Braver Chart and practice her confidence... now, I’M so excited :-) Thanks a lot, Lucy!! Excellent job. I really recommend this book.

I just want to say how wonderful this book is. I initially bought it for myself and MY Eliza who has recently been diagnosed with SM. I found it really useful and my daughter loves the story (we read it every. single. night!). The first part of the book is aimed at parents and professionals and describes the condition and how best to help the child. The second part of the book is a story to read to the child and is very insightful. My daughter's class teacher is incredibly supportive but had no experience of SM so I bought her a copy. Her SENCO also had no practical experience, so I bought her a copy. Then a family friend that loves my daughter and wanted to know how to support her better asked me to get a copy for her too. Haha, I think we are a 2 girl 'My Name is Eliza' distributor! Also, the feedback from everybody that has read the book is that they have found it really useful and gave them a good insight in to how my daughter feels.

This is a brilliant and very informative book written in a very easy way and it capture the reader very quickly.I bought this book last year when my boy was diagnosed with SM but he was only 3.5 at the time which is a bit young so I held off reading it until just before he started school ages 4.5 which was perfect timing for him.As per instructions in the book, the advice is not to compare your child with the girl who is scared of talking but instead talk more about the friend who was scared of dogs. The book had a a real effect on my boy, and after reading the book we went to the supermarket to practice being brave with strangers, I kept referring to the book and said “remember the girl who was scared of dogs, what did she do to overcome being scared” and it really encouraged him to take small steps asking strangers for things in the shop, first day using one word by end of week he asked full questions and every day I used the book as reference.Highly recommend this book

This book is excellent and written by an expert! The first part of the book has got really useful information and tips for adults to read about selective mutism. The book could be used by a wide variety of people for example parents, family members, school, nursery.Since reading this book I have implemented the strategies mentioned in the book and I have had great success with my child.The second part of the book is for the child. The writing is clear and the pictures are lovely and colourful. It is written in a way that a child can easily understand. This book is brilliant at describing what it is like for Eliza and it is very encouraging for a child with selective mutism to know that they are not on their own and they can overcome this.

I bought this following numerous recommendations on the SMIRA Facebook group.Our daughter is 11, diagnosed at age 7 with SM, Separation Anxiety and this year ASC.Eliza could quite easily be our daughter! Lucy Nathanson clearly knows the impact SM has on a child, particularly within the school environment.It gives a really clever example of the 'sliding in' technique and if, like me you've read about it but have never really known how to implement it; pages 26-29 demonstrate it perfectly. It has certainly given me the confidence to have a go.Having a child with SM is tough and we are quite literally their voice until they are ready to find theirs.I really do recommend this to anyone who cares for, interacts with or teaches a child with SM. An invaluable insight and a huge ray of hope xx

I bought this book so I could understand a little more about how Selective Mutism affects my daughter. She is almost 4, but I will wait until she is 6 before reading it to her (as advised in the book). In the meantime, it is a helpful tool in understanding the goals and strategies I will be using to help my daughter find her voice.

I honestly have no words, this book a truly, beautiful and heartfelt book. The book is so powerful, not only for children but for parents too and so relatable for children who have selective mutism. I have recommended this book to many people and will continue to do so. I’m so glad I came across it and incredibly grateful :) xx