Patricia L McIntosh

I Am Mallorie Patricia L McIntosh

A giraffe is a safe guardian, an elephant a playmate, and bears become trusted friends on the pages of I am Mallorie. Delightful story book animals created with greenscreen photography illustrate the feelings and life of Mallorie, a happy and brave little girl that has been diagnosed with selective mutism, an uncommon anxiety disorder that affects her ability to speak in some social situations. Her symptoms were undetected until she was about three years old. She was a talkative toddler at home but completely silent in public. The concerns became more noticeable as she prepared to enter preschool. Medical professionals, a school speech and language pathologist, and her parents worked together to find alternative ways for Mallorie to communicate without using her words until she is ready to share them. This is her story. Read about Mallorie's unique world where she conquers fears and accept herself as wonderfully made.