Selective Mutism News

As fall quickly approaches, parents often begin to worry about their child’s or teen’s ability to reintegrate back into the school environment. Returning from breaks from school can be especially difficult for individuals with selective mutism, given the changes in consistency that come with not attending school for a significant period of time. This article offers recommendations for parents of children with selective mutism in regard to creating a greater likelihood of having a successful return to school after summer break.

When considering how to change a child’s current behavior and speaking patterns, it can be challenging to know where to start. The following article offers recommendations regarding where to begin treatment as well as important considerations as a child progresses through treatment.

The terms “shaping” and “fading” are commonly used in describing treatment approaches for selective mutism. But what are these terms all about? The following article explores the how and why of shaping and fading to provide insight into the treatment process for selective mutism. 

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder, meaning that the act of not speaking in certain situations is driven by fear. However, it is not uncommon for individuals with a specific anxiety disorder such as selective mutism to also present with other heightened fears or anxiety disorders. This article examines how the approach to treating selective mutism, which is rooted in principles of exposure therapy, can be extended to other anxieties and areas of avoidance that a child may be experiencing.

Selective mutism can present in younger children as well as older children and teenagers. Though treatment approaches and underlying principles are similar despite age, there are several modifications and additions that can be made in the treatment of teens that may yield a greater likelihood for positive outcomes. This article further explores those differences to provide clarity regarding treating selective mutism in teens.

Four categories represent the functions of behavior, which provide insight as to why a child may be acting in a certain manner. These functions are: tangibles (attempts to gain an item or privilege), attention (attempts to gain interaction, be it positive or negative, from others), escape (attempts to avoid a feared stimulus), and sensory (attempts to gain physical stimulation or soothing). This article explores the functions of behavior and how they impact the presentation and treatment of children with selective mutism.

Although a consensus has yet to be solidified in the research regarding the precise relationship between selective mutism and social anxiety, it is highly common for children and adolescents with selective mutism to also receive a social phobia diagnosis. Fortunately, regardless of whether a child meets criteria for both diagnoses or one, evidence-based treatment for these disorders is relatively similar and rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles. This article explores the interplay between social anxiety and selective mutism and differentiates shyness and typical expressions of anxiety from psychopathology.

This article provides information regarding a values-based approach to selective mutism treatment. For younger children, tangible rewards such as stickers are often highly motivating. With teenagers, tangible rewards in different forms (e.g., earning money towards a larger gift, receiving screen time, etc.) can still be motivating. Nonetheless, there are strategies that can supplement behavioral treatment for teenagers with selective mutism.

The word “contamination” has a variety of meanings both within and outside of the mental health field. This article seeks to clarify the meaning of contamination in regard to selective mutism.

School-based intensive programs for Selective Mutism (SM) provide an important opportunity for those children with SM to develop confidence and use their brave voices with peers and school professionals. They are hard work; however, done right they can be life-changing experiences that lay the foundation for long term success. In this article, we'll take a behind-the-scenes look at why school intensive programs can be so impactful and how to ensure your child's experience within it is successful.

Holidays, often filled with commotion and gathering, can be an especially difficult time for children and adolescents with selective mutism (SM). Halloween is no exception, and crowds of strangers that gather on a street may be particularly intimidating. The following article explores several tips and tricks that can be used to prepare your child for the upcoming holiday and encourage bravery on Halloween.