Selective Mutism

Warm up A child with SM may feel anxious around a new person. Warm up with the child using the following skills: • Praise (Labeled) Praise the child for any pro-social behavior, such as eye contact. Praise the child for any other positive behaviors. Label your praises by attaching a behavior to it. Examples of labeled praises are “Great job coloring in the lines, I love how you are staying here and playing with me, and great job using your brave voice!” • Reflect If the child speaks or makes sounds in front of or to you at any point, repeat or paraphrase what the child says. • Describe Describe what the child is doing in the moment. An example of a description is “you are choosing the red crayon now.” This will show that you are interested in what he/she is doing and allow the child to lead the play or interaction. Questions Avoid asking a child with SM questions while warming up. When it is time to ask a question, use a forced-choice or openended question. Allow them 5-10 seconds to answer the question and praise them if/when the child does answer. If the child uses a non-verbal behavior to answer, do not interpret it, instead describe it and prompt for a verbal response. Selective Mutism (SM) is characterized by a persistent failure to speak in one or more social situations for at least 1 month. Children usually develop SM before the age of 5, however it may not be diagnosed until school-age when the disturbance becomes more noticeable and interfering. Children with selective mutism are usually able to speak comfortably at home and with their immediate family. But in less familiar settings or when with unfamiliar people, children may refuse to speak or feel unable to speak. SM is considered to be an anxiety disorder. Children with SM may also be excessively shy, show significant social anxiety or fear of embarrassment, and may at times prefer to be isolated and withdrawn. Children with SM may communicate using the following nonverbal behavior around less familiar people: Gesturing Nodding or shaking their head Pulling or pushing Using only short (often inaudible) phrases Whispering Selective mutism can be associated with considerable life impairment, reduced quality of life, and interference with family, school, and peer functioning.