\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. How can it be treated? So, to diagnose mutism precisely and accurately, it is further classified into two major types. Even if a child attends a private school, parents can inquire about an assessment through their public school district office. If mutism occurs along with symptoms of psychosis, like hallucinations, decline in self-care, and intense emotional fluctuations, getting treatment as early as possible is highly advised. Treatment How to help Summary Selective mutism is a condition in which a person can speak in some situations but not in others. This is nothing to be concerned about. Therefore, the adult will typically experience stress and have difficulty dealing with everyday events. Researchers arent sure what causes it to occur. This makes it even harder to overcome your selective mutism. Selective mutism is not caused by a child's willful refusal to speak. Variation: Ask someone you trust to give you rewards if you want more accountability. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Selective mutism. Selective Mutism | Cedars-Sinai Consult a licensed medical professional or call 911, if you are in need of immediate assistance. But in many cases, a child may not have any trouble at all . Therefore, a professional must assess the patient through interviews and direct observations. Silence that interferes with work or school. As a physician, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum ("Dr. E") views SM as a social communication anxiety where mutism is merely a symptom. Children with autism spectrum disorders and selective mutism This article discusses the symptoms and causes of mutism, its risk factors, how it's diagnosed, and when to get help. Treatment should involve gradual exposure activities that specifically address areas of challenge that are specific to each individual. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) approach can be an alternative approach to treating students with mutism. The most common reaction to anxiety is to avoid what triggers the anxiety. The videos are played regularly throughout the intervention to help the patient become accustomed to hearing themself talking in various circumstances. While an adult or child with selective mutism might seem angry or hostile, these behaviors reflect their flight or fight response to being in an uncomfortable situation. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. The family systems model is another common theory thought to be behind selective mutism. You might also keep your favorite snack at your desk at work and treat yourself every time you speak with someone who makes you uncomfortable. She completed her clinical internship in pediatric and child psychology at the University of Miami Medical School and Mailman Center for Child Development. The taunting from other children could set off a habit of avoidance that leads to mutism for some children that have nervous tendencies. Adults and children with the disorder might prefer if others spoke for them or use signals to communicate. If an adult has a speech and language disorder or hearing problem, it can make it even more stressful to speak. It is considered a coping method for dealing with anger or anxiety. While treatment methods will vary from clinician-to-clinician, at Pinnacle Counseling and Testing Center, our treatment of adolescents and adults with Selective Mutism always involves a combination of psychoeducation on anxiety, coping-skills building, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Graduated Exposure (GE). Methods In this retrospective study, we examined medical records of children with SM diagnosis (n=97) at a medical center specializing in assessment of ASD. Theyre often wary of doing things that draw attention to them because they think people will expect them to talk. Psychogenic mutism is a chronic disorder that impairs a persons ability to function in daily life without help. Even if youre an adult with selective mutism, treatment is still possible. They usually start talking when they feel more comfortable. All the donations received, as well as 100% of Anxiety.org revenue in 2023, will be contributed to build, develop, and further the understanding, investigation, discovery, and treatment of the full spectrum of anxiety and related disorders. Treatment-resistant non-catatonic mutism in schizophrenia: a case report and review of literature. The person is only shy in certain social situations.