Selective Mutism: What It Is and What You Can Do For Your Child
Selective Mutism is a disorder that is talked about often, but typically not much is known about it. According to SelectiveMutismFoundation.org, Selective Mutism is defined as follows:
"Selective Mutism is a psychiatric disorder most commonly found in children, characterized by a persistent failure to speak in select settings, which continues for more than 1 month. These children understand spoken language and have the ability to speak normally. In typical cases, they speak to their parents and a few selected others. Sometimes, they do not speak to certain individuals in the home. Most are unable to speak in school, and in other major social situations. Generally, most function normally in other ways, although some may have additional disabilities. Most learn age-appropriate skills and academics. Currently, Selective Mutism, through published studies, appears to be related to severe anxiety, shyness and social anxiety."
They key factor in Selective Mutism is that children DO talk in some situations, but not others. Most commonly, children with this issue have anxiety surrounding speaking to peers or adults in a school setting. Typically, children who have Selective Mutism may nod their heads in response to questions presented to them by either peers or adults. They may also prefer to write their responses on paper, rather than having to speak with those around them. Children often fear ridicule by their peers or fear the attention they will receive if they speak. The less they speak, the more peers typically ask them to speak, which leads to a cycle of anxiety and discomfort. Many times their anxiety is the result of a prior incidence of ridicule, at which time the child was teased because of their voice or something they said. Other times the child fears having people looking at and placing him or her at the center of attention. Most often the source of the anxiety is not as clear or is a combination of these and other factors.
The main mistake that most people make when trying to help their children is to force them to talk in the situations they fear. This only serves to increase the child's anxiety and does not help them overcome their fears. Treating Selective Mutism is a slow and steady process. You must work at the child's comfort level when setting up goals for interacting to ensure that they have positive experiences. As they become more comfortable, their goals can increase in difficulty. Before any goals can be set up, however, the child must learn coping skills and relaxation methods to control their anxiety before and during the interactions.
If you believe your child may have symptoms of Selective Mutism or another anxiety disorder, contact a professional for advice and assistance.
"Selective Mutism is a psychiatric disorder most commonly found in children, characterized by a persistent failure to speak in select settings, which continues for more than 1 month. These children understand spoken language and have the ability to speak normally. In typical cases, they speak to their parents and a few selected others. Sometimes, they do not speak to certain individuals in the home. Most are unable to speak in school, and in other major social situations. Generally, most function normally in other ways, although some may have additional disabilities. Most learn age-appropriate skills and academics. Currently, Selective Mutism, through published studies, appears to be related to severe anxiety, shyness and social anxiety."
They key factor in Selective Mutism is that children DO talk in some situations, but not others. Most commonly, children with this issue have anxiety surrounding speaking to peers or adults in a school setting. Typically, children who have Selective Mutism may nod their heads in response to questions presented to them by either peers or adults. They may also prefer to write their responses on paper, rather than having to speak with those around them. Children often fear ridicule by their peers or fear the attention they will receive if they speak. The less they speak, the more peers typically ask them to speak, which leads to a cycle of anxiety and discomfort. Many times their anxiety is the result of a prior incidence of ridicule, at which time the child was teased because of their voice or something they said. Other times the child fears having people looking at and placing him or her at the center of attention. Most often the source of the anxiety is not as clear or is a combination of these and other factors.
The main mistake that most people make when trying to help their children is to force them to talk in the situations they fear. This only serves to increase the child's anxiety and does not help them overcome their fears. Treating Selective Mutism is a slow and steady process. You must work at the child's comfort level when setting up goals for interacting to ensure that they have positive experiences. As they become more comfortable, their goals can increase in difficulty. Before any goals can be set up, however, the child must learn coping skills and relaxation methods to control their anxiety before and during the interactions.
If you believe your child may have symptoms of Selective Mutism or another anxiety disorder, contact a professional for advice and assistance.
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