Selective Mutism Case Study

Issues Pertaining to Diagnosis There are various views on how Selective Mutism should be classified. Some individuals believe that SM should be classified under social anxiety but others disagree. Some studies show that children with SM score lower than children who have a social phobia on the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAIK), so social anxiety may not be the cause of SM in many cases (Wong, 2010). Other professionals believe that SM should be classified under social phobia because the prognosis for children with SM is similar to the prognosis for social phobia (Manassis & Tannock, 2008). There are also children who suffer from PTSD due to severe trauma and abuse, who fall under the classification of SM. In addition to the comorbid disorders listed, there are several differential diagnoses, which include transient shyness (adjustment disorder), intellectual disabilities, pervasive developmental disorders, expressive language disorder, mood disorder, and hearing impairment (Sharp, Sherman, Gross, 2007). When a child presents some sort of communication disorder, a diagnosis of SM should be distinguished from all other speech disturbances. Any possible diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, social anxiety, or …show more content…
The key terms deployed throughout this dissertation will be listed and defined, such as, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy (BT), group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT), selective mutism (SM), psychoeducation, functional behavioral assessment (FBA), and pharmacological treatment intervention. A nomenclature list will be included at the beginning of the dissertation to serve the purpose of easy access to