What is Selective Mutism?
Selective Mutism (SM) is characterized by a child or adolescent's inability to speak in one or more social settings (e.g., at school, in public places, with adults) despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home with family). SM is usually first diagnosed upon the child's entrance into school; although it is often present before then, but may not be as noticeable. Some research suggests that it may be a childhood form of social anxiety disorder. The child or adolescent with SM typically refrains from social participation at school and other settings due to a pronounced anxiety. Most affected children and adolescents function normally in other ways and learn age appropriate skills; however, some may have other co-occurring anxiety disorders, developmental delays such as impaired social skills, and communication disorders in addition to SM.
How We Can Help
Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help the individual learn distress tolerance skills and effective self-talk. For children with selective mutism, our therapists will teach parents how to effectively implement an incentive plan and decrease accommodating behaviors in order to motivate their child to use their coping skills and decrease their avoidance and dependence on others to communicate for them. Finally, exposure therapy and other interventions are used to help the child gradually practice speaking to others at various settings (e.g., at the therapist's office, public situations such as restaurants, home-based situations such as answering the phone, and school-related situations) by reframing his/her beliefs about the need for control, fear of judgement, or that something "bad" may occur.
Selective Mutism (SM) is characterized by a child or adolescent's inability to speak in one or more social settings (e.g., at school, in public places, with adults) despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home with family). SM is usually first diagnosed upon the child's entrance into school; although it is often present before then, but may not be as noticeable. Some research suggests that it may be a childhood form of social anxiety disorder. The child or adolescent with SM typically refrains from social participation at school and other settings due to a pronounced anxiety. Most affected children and adolescents function normally in other ways and learn age appropriate skills; however, some may have other co-occurring anxiety disorders, developmental delays such as impaired social skills, and communication disorders in addition to SM.
How We Can Help
Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help the individual learn distress tolerance skills and effective self-talk. For children with selective mutism, our therapists will teach parents how to effectively implement an incentive plan and decrease accommodating behaviors in order to motivate their child to use their coping skills and decrease their avoidance and dependence on others to communicate for them. Finally, exposure therapy and other interventions are used to help the child gradually practice speaking to others at various settings (e.g., at the therapist's office, public situations such as restaurants, home-based situations such as answering the phone, and school-related situations) by reframing his/her beliefs about the need for control, fear of judgement, or that something "bad" may occur.
P H O N E 219.228.7630 | Call us for a FREE CONSULT
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321