Selective Mutism

Question 1

What is Selective Mutism

Answer 1

Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder characterised by a child or adolescent’s inability to speak in one or more social settings, despite being about to speak comfortably in other settings.

Question 2

Is SM an anxiety disorder?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

Is SM an inability to speak?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

Is SM an unwillingness to speak?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Answer 5

• Avoiding
• Physical tension
• Lack of facial expression
• Appear helpless
• No strategy to cope with new or difficult situations that may lead to anxiety

Question 6

What distinguishes that children are selectively mute?

Answer 6

The persistence over time and the intensity of the silence

Question 7

What are the impacts on the child?

Answer 7

• Frustration
• Feelings of injustice- being viewed as naughty
• Educational
• Social
• Being the non-speaker becomes part of who they are

Question 8

What are the causes of SM?

Answer 8

• Predisposing factors:
- Family history

• Precipitating factors:

• Frequent moves or migration
• Self-awareness of SLC issue the idea of being teased for it

• Perpetuating factors

• Over acceptance
• Negative models of communication

Question 9

What does SLT aim to achieve?

Answer 9

• Minimize the negative impact on the child
• Prevent the situation from getting worse
• Prevent the behaviour from becoming entrenched
• Prevent repeated ineffective attempts to elicit speech
• Prevent the child from taking on a non-speaking role
• Minimize the emotional and physical drain on teachers and parents
• Reduce Anxiety
• Build Self-Esteem
• Develop Confidence

Question 10

What are the consequences?

Answer 10

Academic achievements…

• Can’t ask for help
• Can’t show that they understand
• Can’t meet their potential (self-fulfilling prophecy)
• Avoidance to go to school leading to a gap in education
• Underachievement
• Misinterpretation

Social development…  
-	School refusal
-	Social isolation
-	Withdrawal 
-	Unhealthy relationships 
Emotional development…

• Self-esteem and confidence
• Anxiety
• Effect on family relationships