Selective Mutism

“Pari, a 7-year-old girl, has difficulties in her classroom when she interacts with students or plays with friends. According to her parents, Pari is a talkative child when she is with her family at home, but she stays quiet in public places like birthday parties and at school. Her teacher noted her consistent silence in the classroom. She also noticed that her lack of participation in classes such as music, physical education, and art is negatively affecting the child. Pari is often viewed as shy child, and it is assumed that the shyness is temporary and will be outgrown.  Her parents shared that she has no speech difficulty, she talks fluently at home, and they shared her videos where she is playing with her brother and talking to her parents fluently.”

By the time Selective Mutism is recognized, Pari has usually had at least two years in which non-verbalization has become a pattern.

Selective Mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder in which a child can’t speak in specific settings but can speak well in another situation. It is known as Selective Mutism, because the child is mute in only specific situation.  It’s a rare childhood condition. It can cause challenges in coping with school and social situation. Selective Mutism usually begins in very young children, between the ages of 3 and 5. But it may not be recognized until a child starts school.

A child with Selective Mutism may find specific social situation very stressful. It may cause anxiety so severe that the child feels unable to speak. Selective Mutism is not caused by the child’s deliberate or conscious refusal to speak.

In some cases, the child may have other speech problems as well. But in many cases, the child may not have any problems at all if he is comfortable.

Autism and Selective Mutism are two different conditions that can affect people in different ways.

Autism:

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.

Selective Mutism:

Selective mutism is a condition that represents anxiety in specific circumstances. This condition is only evident in limited scenarios. Symptoms include consistent failure to speak in a scenario when speaking is expected.

It’s important to note that both Autism and Selective Mutism are complex conditions and a Professional diagnosis by a qualified physician or clinical psychologist is necessary to accurately identify and understand these conditions.

“Pari’s Parents met the psychologist who suggested a gradual exposure approach, like Stimulus Fading, for example starting with activities that made Pari feel relaxed and secure. Encouraging her to talk to freely in a relaxed situation with someone and then very gradually bring someone new into the room.

Through Play therapy, the therapist slowly introduced situation where Pari felt a bit anxious but still safe. During several sessions, Pari was encouraged to engage in activities that required verbal communication but were within her comfort zone.

 Pari responded positively to the therapy. Small steps, such as whispering responses, using gestures, or writing on a whiteboard, helped her begin to communicate in these settings. Her progress was gradual but noticeable. Pari’s teacher helped her make communication at school less scary. For example, the teacher encouraged Pari only to speak in small groups at first, instead of to the whole class.

Pari's parents were encouraged to support her by practicing similar activities at home. They were also advised on how to encourage communication without pressure or stress.

Over time, Pari's confidence grew. She started speaking in school, initially in small sentences and then gradually participating in class discussions. With consistent therapy and support, Pari overcame the barrier of Selective Mutism, gaining the ability to communicate comfortably in various settings.”

This case study shows the process involved in diagnosing, treating, and supporting a child with Selective Mutism, showcasing the importance of gradual exposure and a supportive environment in overcoming this challenge.

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