Selective Mutism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, for a very long time, selective mutism was believed to be triggered by some severe trauma; however, recent research has shown it to be a part of a larger social anxiety disorder. The author points out that the psychiatric manual "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual" (published in 1994 and known as DSM IV) lists selective mutism under "Other Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence," suggesting that it does not fit well into the diagnostic system of the manual. The paper relates that, in selective mutism disorder, which emerges after previously normal language development, children don't actively choose to be mute, but become mute when present in situations that produce anxiety within themselves; it is now widely viewed as a form of social phobia with possible biologic predispositions.

Table of Contents
What is It?
How Common is It?
Diagnosis
Treatment

From the Paper:

"In one example, a child who was almost five years old started preschool, and after two weeks, refused to speak to either the teacher or his classmates. He also cried at arrival and would ask his parents to take him home. At home he spoke, but only to his mother, but spoke clearly and in complete sentences. He communicated only non-verbally with his father and siblings. When the parents took him to the pediatrician, the doctor could not get him to speak."

More papers on Selective Mutism:

• Essay # 86373 : "Selective Mutism in Children"
• Research Paper # 93663 : "Consumer Behavior and Selective Attention"
• Essay # 35495 : "Selective Process"

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