Table of Contents
What are the causes of selective mutism?
What causes selective mutism?
- An anxiety disorder.
- Poor family relationships.
- Untreated psychological issues.
- Self-esteem problems.
- Problems with sound processing.
- A speech or language problem, such as stuttering.
- Family history of anxiety disorders.
- A traumatic experience.
Can selective mutism be cured?
Experts don’t know how many children with selective mutism will grow out of the disorder. But what we do know is that treating it becomes much harder the older a child is, so it is extremely important not to put off treatment.
Is selective mutism part of autism?
Myth 5: Selective mutism is a form of autism. Some people confuse selective mutism with autism, but it is important to know that they are not the same disorder.
Does anxiety cause selective mutism?
Experts regard selective mutism as a fear (phobia) of talking to certain people. The cause is not always clear, but it’s known to be associated with anxiety.
What can I do to cure my selective mutism?
Treatment for Selective Mutism can include psychotherapy and medication to address the anxiety that underlies the person’s inability to speak in certain situations. Some children with Selective Mutism also benefit from speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, sensory-integration therapy, and other interventions that may be recommended by the main treatment provider(s).
What does it feel like to have selective mutism?
Appearance: Many children with Selective Mutism have a frozen-looking, blank, expressionless face and stiff, awkward body language with lack of eye contact when feeling anxious. This is especially true for younger children in the beginning of the school year or then suddenly approached by an unfamiliar person.
How to get rid of selective mutism?
Treatment of selective mutism can involve a combination of psychotherapy and medication, though psychotherapy is generally the first recommendation. Some children with selective mutism have a co-occurring speech and language disorder.
Does selective mutism keep getting worse?
Selective mutism is a type of anxiety disorder that can get worse over time. By the time a child reaches the teen years, it can become nearly impossible to speak in anxiety-provoking situations without treatment. Cognitive-behavior therapy with a mental health professional has been shown to be effective in treating selective mutism.