In July 2019 at the age of 3, Stevie Tay was diagnosed with Selective Mutism - a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school. These children are usually able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure, and relaxed.
8 months into Stevie’s Mother’s Day Out program, Mollie and Aubrey found out that Stevie had never spoken in class. Stevie had always been shy around new people, but to realize that she had spent all that time in silence at school was heartbreaking. In Spring of 2019 the group of people she would talk to began to shrink. She stopped speaking to friends at church, extended family, and eventually stopped talking to Mollie and Aubrey in July.
It’s not unheard of for kids to lose words at home and with immediate family, but it does make it a more extreme case.
Selective Mutism is treatable, but the journey will be long, challenging, and very expensive. In many cases, it is years before a child with Selective Mutism finds their words in the various social settings that life will bring. Treatment requires weekly appointments with a psychologist who specializes in treating Selective Mutism. Stevie also requires further evaluation regarding her sensory development as a whole. The first year of appointments and evaluations is just the start, and may result in a number of different recommended treatments to pursue from there, including social immersion therapy, communication intensive programs, and other communicative developmental therapy.
Donations will go towards Stevie’s appointments, research, and any resources she needs to help her cope (weighted blankets, comforting toys, materials and activities that improve sensory processing development, etc.). Beyond that, it will help cover therapy tools that give Stevie safe exposure in social settings where she can work on getting her voice back.
Mollie and Aubrey have given selflessly to those around them since they started their family with their beautiful marriage in 2009. They’ve traveled the country in search of the best place to share their gifts and after giving of their time, resources, energy, and money in ways that are truly inspirational, they settled in Greenville, South Carolina to plant a church where they could continue to pour more of themselves into the community around them. Their hearts have always been about loving others and caring for those in need. I am honored to come together with friends and family during this difficult trial to raise money, raise awareness, pray continually, and help relieve the burden on Mollie and Aubrey’s shoulders. Thank you so much for your love and support.
8 months into Stevie’s Mother’s Day Out program, Mollie and Aubrey found out that Stevie had never spoken in class. Stevie had always been shy around new people, but to realize that she had spent all that time in silence at school was heartbreaking. In Spring of 2019 the group of people she would talk to began to shrink. She stopped speaking to friends at church, extended family, and eventually stopped talking to Mollie and Aubrey in July.
It’s not unheard of for kids to lose words at home and with immediate family, but it does make it a more extreme case.
Selective Mutism is treatable, but the journey will be long, challenging, and very expensive. In many cases, it is years before a child with Selective Mutism finds their words in the various social settings that life will bring. Treatment requires weekly appointments with a psychologist who specializes in treating Selective Mutism. Stevie also requires further evaluation regarding her sensory development as a whole. The first year of appointments and evaluations is just the start, and may result in a number of different recommended treatments to pursue from there, including social immersion therapy, communication intensive programs, and other communicative developmental therapy.
Donations will go towards Stevie’s appointments, research, and any resources she needs to help her cope (weighted blankets, comforting toys, materials and activities that improve sensory processing development, etc.). Beyond that, it will help cover therapy tools that give Stevie safe exposure in social settings where she can work on getting her voice back.
Mollie and Aubrey have given selflessly to those around them since they started their family with their beautiful marriage in 2009. They’ve traveled the country in search of the best place to share their gifts and after giving of their time, resources, energy, and money in ways that are truly inspirational, they settled in Greenville, South Carolina to plant a church where they could continue to pour more of themselves into the community around them. Their hearts have always been about loving others and caring for those in need. I am honored to come together with friends and family during this difficult trial to raise money, raise awareness, pray continually, and help relieve the burden on Mollie and Aubrey’s shoulders. Thank you so much for your love and support.