ebd-forum Selective Mutism and School Interventions

Selective mutism is a complex psychological disorder caused by anxiety.
Average onset is 3.7 years of age. Generally, selective mutism is called
shyness for several years until a child enters school and does not
function verbally in school and most social situations outside of
school. Parents and teachers become very concerned and seek further
assistance and diagnosis. These children have the ability to speak and
understand language, develop age appropriate skills, and function
normally at home with most family members. However, if the nonverbal
behavior outside of the home lasts for a period of time, it becomes a
learned pattern and is quite difficult to overcome, because the longer a
child is silent, the more entrenched the behavior becomes.

Most school personnel do not have the expertise or experience to deal
with a child having this disorder which is caused by anxiety and
avoidance. The numbers of children identified who are suffering with the
disorder have risen sharply in the past few years.

School interventions have proven to be difficult partially due to
teacher and administrator lack of knowledge and materials, fear, and
inexperience. These children quickly learn to use avoidance techniques,
as do their teachers, and to use the school environment to accommodate
this debilitating condition. Thus, nonsupportive schools who avoid an
intervention begin to do unjust harm to these children.

It is evident that teachers who discover a selectively mute child in
their classroom do want to help. However, it appears, they have a very
difficult time finding research based strategies and a format that can
be used in a sequential order within the school setting.

I hope that I have given you some needed information so that these
children do not continue to suffer in silence.
__________________
Gail Kervatt
http://www.selective-mutism.com

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