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- Selective mutism (SM) is a mental health condition where you can’t talk in certain situations because of fear or anxiety. It usually affects young children, but it can also affect adolescents and adults. This condition is more than being shy, bashful or timid. SM is an anxiety disorder.
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Oct 2, 2023 · Selective mutism (SM) is a mental health condition where you can’t talk in certain situations because of fear or anxiety. It usually affects young children, but it can also affect adolescents and adults. This condition is more than being shy, bashful or timid. SM is an anxiety disorder.
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Jul 7, 2021 · Selective mutism is a rare childhood anxiety disorder in which a child experiences a trigger response and is unable to speak in certain situations or to certain people.
- The onset of selective mutism is usually between the ages of 3 and 6. Most children who develop selective mutism also suffer from social anxiety ,...
- Children who suffer selective mutism may appear: Shy, socially awkward, anxious , insecure and clingy, embarrassed, rude, indifferent or aloof, sti...
- Children with selective mutism often have a family history of anxiety disorders. The neurological basis for selective mutism is thought to be a cas...
- Selectively mute teens may also experience mood disorders like depression , and they can suffer conditions such as agoraphobia, a fear of leaving h...
- Individuals on the autism spectrum have problems with social skills and communication abilities; while they do feel empathy for others, they do not...
- It is best to seek behavioral therapy or family therapy as early as possible for a child with selective mutism because the condition may not go awa...
- If untreated, selective mutism can in some cases follow a child into adulthood. It will affect school, family, social life , and work. All of which...
- Schools and teachers can help a child in various ways: • Do not pressure the child to speak • Allow time for counseling and speech therapy • Allow...
- Selective Mutism Symptoms
- Diagnosis of Selective Mutism
- Causes of Selective Mutism
- Complications of Selective Mutism
- Selective Mutism Treatment
- Coping with Selective Mutism
If you believe that your child may be struggling with selective mutism, look for the following symptoms: 1. Expression of a desire to speak that is held back by anxiousness, fear, or embarrassment 2. Fidgeting, eye contact avoidance, lack of movement or lack of expression when in feared situations 3. Inability to speak in school and other specific ...
Although selective mutism is believed to have its roots in anxiety, it was not classified as an anxiety disorder until the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)published in 2013. The use of the term "selective" was adopted in 1994, prior to which the disorder was known as "elective mutism." The change wa...
Because the condition tends to be quite rare, risk factors for the condition are not fully understood. It was once believed that selective mutism was the result of childhood abuse, trauma, or upheaval. Research now suggests that the disorder is related to extreme social anxiety and that genetic predisposition is likely.Like all mental disorders, it...
Unfortunately, selective mutism may worsen anxiety. For instance, a child with selective mutism may dread going to school, where their condition makes it hard for them to be accepted among their peers. Selective mutism can lead to communication problems. An adult who has selective mutism may be perceived as judgmental or passive aggressive if peopl...
Selective mutism is most receptive to treatment when it is caught early. If your child has been silent at school for two months or longer, it is important that treatment begin promptly. Treatment for selective mutism may include therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
In addition to seeking appropriate professional treatment, there are things that you can do to help your child manage their condition. 1. Inform teachers and others who work with your child. Teachers can sometimes become frustrated or angry with children who don't speak. You can help by making sure that your child's teacher knows that the behavior ...
Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder in which a person who is otherwise capable of speech becomes unable to speak when exposed to specific situations, specific places, or to specific people, one or multiple of which serving as triggers.
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations, such as with classmates at school or to relatives they do not see very often. It usually starts during childhood and, if left untreated, can persist into adulthood.
Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder characterized by an individual’s inability to speak in one or more social settings (e.g., at school, in public places, with peers) despite the ability to speak comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home with immediate family).
Jul 7, 2021 · Selective mutism is a rare childhood anxiety disorder in which a child experiences a trigger response and is unable to speak in certain situations or to certain people.
