In the last couple of weeks there has been a lot of media attention given to a specific condition called selective mutism (BBC One 2/2/2010 & “The children who will not speak” in the Irish Daily Mirror (2/02/2010). I have also received a few e-mail queries about selective mutism and have therefore decided to write a short blog about this condition. The information below is a brief summary from a booklet called ‘Elective Mutism Manual – a guide for parents, teachers, clinicians and the child’ written by Dr Louise Sharkey, Prof. Fiona McNicholas and Maire Begley.

 What is Selective Mutism (SM)?

SM is a rare childhood disorder characterised by an emotionally determined selectivity in speaking, where the child speaks feely in familiar situations, but fails to speak in other less familiar situations. The child speaks at home and/or with close friends, but is mute at school or with strangers. SM does not apply if it occurs in the first month of school entry or if it is secondary to a hearing impairment. The clinical features of SM thus include:

A persistent failure to speak in specific social situations, despite speaking in others.
Normal or near normal level of language comprehension.
A level of language competence that is sufficient for social communication and interaction.
Demonstratable evidence that the individual can and does speak in some situations.
 

How common is SM?

SM is relatively rare; affecting approximately 1 in every 1000 school aged children.

What causes SM?

The cause is largely unknown, but thought to be multifactorial (involving both genetic & environmental factors). It is thought to be an early expression of social phobia. Parents often report a family history of extreme shyness in their early childhood years. SM differs from shyness in that it is persistent and interferes with education achievement and peer interaction. A lack of appropriate intervention can be a maintaining factor of this condition.

What to do if my child has SM?

Establish the severity, duration and extent of the SM by discussing the problem with your child’s teacher. If the problem is thought to be significant, bring your child to your GP and request a referral to child psychiatry (for an assessment of developmental, educational and family history). The Lucena Clinic Services in Dublin also provide very useful information and support to families of children with SM. Also see www.selectivemutism.org (Selective Mutism Organisation).

 Reference:

‘Elective Mutism Manual – a guide for parents, teachers, clinicians and the child’ written by Dr Louise Sharkey, Prof. Fiona McNicholas and Maire Begley. 

Marinet Janse van Vuren 21/2/2010

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