An Overview of Selective Mutism
Roxana Fleneury
Brenau University
Having an anxiety disorder is challenging because in many situations it is hard to prevent or stop it from occurring. One of these disorders is selective mutism. One of the key characteristics of selective mutism is the inability to speak in a social situation or in a place where speaking is expected. As in the case of Jenny from Helping Children with Selective Mutism, she speaks comfortably at home to her parents but when visitors are present she will not speak and at times hides behind her parents. Another key diagnostic feature of individuals with selective mutism is that the disorder is not because the individual does not know the language or they are …show more content…
Selective mutism must also interfere with the social communication and academic achievement. Selective mutism can also interfere with occupational achievement. For this disorder it can also not be attributed to other psychological disorders such as schizophrenia or psychotic disorder. It cannot be attributed to a communication disorder either. During such instances that the individual exhibits mutism these unique features must be present.
Overall social anxiety and social fear (phobia) are present in cases of selective mutism. This creates the inability to be able to communicate in social situations. In order to be diagnosed with selective mutism, an individual would show persistent lack of communication for at least one month, but include the first months of school (such as kindergarten or preschool). These children should speak well within their homes with their families, but would be mute or lack communication in any other settings that require …show more content…
As well as the prevalence in the female gender for having selective mutism would be an area of study to increase the understanding of selective mutism. Social anxiety does continue to be the significant link in selective mutism, despite not having a clear cause for it.
Selective mutism continues to be a fairly unknown disorder that not until recently has been studied. Studies have shown that individuals with selective mutism have found ways to communicate nonverbally with their peers. For example, during group work or activities, children with selective mutism may choose to communicate using gestures or non-verbal forms of communication.
In these challenging settings, individuals with selective mutism are misunderstood by many. Some are viewed as displaying oppositional behavior or being stubborn for not verbalizing with teachers or peers. Society deems to label these individuals as not putting the effort into communicating. Research has now shown that for some individuals with selective mutism, these environments even cause them temporary paralysis of their larynx as a defense
Roxana Fleneury
Brenau University
Having an anxiety disorder is challenging because in many situations it is hard to prevent or stop it from occurring. One of these disorders is selective mutism. One of the key characteristics of selective mutism is the inability to speak in a social situation or in a place where speaking is expected. As in the case of Jenny from Helping Children with Selective Mutism, she speaks comfortably at home to her parents but when visitors are present she will not speak and at times hides behind her parents. Another key diagnostic feature of individuals with selective mutism is that the disorder is not because the individual does not know the language or they are …show more content…
Selective mutism must also interfere with the social communication and academic achievement. Selective mutism can also interfere with occupational achievement. For this disorder it can also not be attributed to other psychological disorders such as schizophrenia or psychotic disorder. It cannot be attributed to a communication disorder either. During such instances that the individual exhibits mutism these unique features must be present.
Overall social anxiety and social fear (phobia) are present in cases of selective mutism. This creates the inability to be able to communicate in social situations. In order to be diagnosed with selective mutism, an individual would show persistent lack of communication for at least one month, but include the first months of school (such as kindergarten or preschool). These children should speak well within their homes with their families, but would be mute or lack communication in any other settings that require …show more content…
As well as the prevalence in the female gender for having selective mutism would be an area of study to increase the understanding of selective mutism. Social anxiety does continue to be the significant link in selective mutism, despite not having a clear cause for it.
Selective mutism continues to be a fairly unknown disorder that not until recently has been studied. Studies have shown that individuals with selective mutism have found ways to communicate nonverbally with their peers. For example, during group work or activities, children with selective mutism may choose to communicate using gestures or non-verbal forms of communication.
In these challenging settings, individuals with selective mutism are misunderstood by many. Some are viewed as displaying oppositional behavior or being stubborn for not verbalizing with teachers or peers. Society deems to label these individuals as not putting the effort into communicating. Research has now shown that for some individuals with selective mutism, these environments even cause them temporary paralysis of their larynx as a defense