 What Is Selective Mutism?
Posted By Dr Fung On 7/24/2003 9:21:09 PM In Read
Selective Mutism is a rare childhood problem that occur in about 0.1% of children. These children are able to speak in some situations but do not speak in others.
In most cases, the children speak at home but become quiet and reticent in less familiar situations. Frequently, the parents are surprised by this as the child is speaking normally at home. In fact, some parents actually report that the child is quite a chatterbox at home. The problem is often missed initially when a child is merely labelled as shy.
Most children with selective mutism presents for help at school going age (or when they enter playschool or kindergarten). The teacher notices that the child is way too quiet even for a shy child and informs the parents. Sadly, many teachers and parents know little about the problem and continue to label the child as just being very shy.
Initally, well meaning adults merely shrug and allow the quiet child "space" hoping that he/she will open up. This doesn't work and the kind encouragement becomes anger and even rage. One teacher was so frustrated at a teen's reticence at grade 8 that she literally flipped (the child's table). Parents become increasingly frustrated and often resort to threats.
In some cases, the child may speak as they enter their teens but I am aware of a teenager who went to University still mute in school. He had chosen computer science (what else?) as his course. Read about a case study here.
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