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Managing Selective Mutism in Children

The document provides information about selective mutism, including: - Selective mutism is characterized by a child's anxiety or fear of speaking in certain social settings, typically school. It is commonly noticed when children start school. - Potential causes include the child's temperament, developmental difficulties with language, social anxiety, and family interactions. - Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy to help children overcome their anxiety of speaking and progressively introduce social situations. Support at home and possible medication may also be part of treatment depending on severity. Being patient, understanding and supportive can also help the child.

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Tee Kok Keong
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348 views2 pages

Managing Selective Mutism in Children

The document provides information about selective mutism, including: - Selective mutism is characterized by a child's anxiety or fear of speaking in certain social settings, typically school. It is commonly noticed when children start school. - Potential causes include the child's temperament, developmental difficulties with language, social anxiety, and family interactions. - Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy to help children overcome their anxiety of speaking and progressively introduce social situations. Support at home and possible medication may also be part of treatment depending on severity. Being patient, understanding and supportive can also help the child.

Uploaded by

Tee Kok Keong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Cover and Introduction: The cover page introduces the booklet on selective mutism, including contact information for assistance.
  • What is Selective Mutism?: Defines selective mutism and explains its impact on children, including social implications and differences in behavior across settings.
  • What Causes Selective Mutism?: Explores the multifaceted potential causes of selective mutism, such as biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
  • Management of Selective Mutism: Describes various management strategies including psychological therapy and medication to support children with selective mutism.

Where To Get Help

If your child has not yet seen a doctor and you suspect that
he is showing signs of Selective Mutism, you may raise your
concerns with your childs school counsellors. School counsellors
are connected to our community mental health service, REACH
(Response, Early intervention, Assessment in Community mental
Health), which can provide further advice and assistance.

If your child is seeking help at our clinic, please raise your concerns
with your childs doctor, nurse, or allied health professional. SELECTIVE
MUTISM

Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry


Institute of Mental Health
Buangkok Green Medical Park
10 Buangkok View
Singapore 539747
General Enquiries: 6389 2000
Appointment Line: 6389 2200
Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222

[Link]

Apr 2014
What is What Causes Selective Mutism? Management of
SELECTIVE MUTISM
Selective Many factors are thought to contribute to Selective Mutism, including:
Treatment of children or adolescents with Selective Mutism involves

Mutism? the temperament of the child or adolescent


developmental difficulties, particularly in the area of language
anxiety, particularly social anxiety, leading to a persistent fear
a combination of methods and ways:

of performance or interaction in a certain social setting, most Psychological therapy. Cognitive behavioural
Selective Mutism is a rare condition often school therapy (a form of talking therapy that aims to change the
family interactions way a person thinks and behaves) is commonly used to
characterised by a childs anxiety, fear help children with Selective Mutism overcome their anxiety
or phobia of having to speak at school or of speaking. This is done by:
in other social settings. Selective Mutism
removing or reducing any pressure for them to speak in
is normally noticed in children when any setting
they start school, but the condition can helping them identify their own anxiety levels and learn
to cope with their anxiety
be present at all age levels including progressively introducing situations that could encourage
adolescents. Children with Selective communication and dividing up these situations into steps
Mutism might avoid eye contact, providing opportunities for them to start speaking
to a caregiver, sibling or friend with whom they are
blush, freeze or stare blankly when comfortable, at home or in the school environment
addressed by people with whom they are new people such as classmates and teachers can be
introduced subsequently
unfamiliar. setting up a rewards system to motivate change

Support at home. Encourage your child to develop


independent skills. Give the child responsibilities at home
(e.g. with household chores). Encourage your child to
purchase items that he wants (e.g. buying a favourite
burger).

Use of medication. Depending on the severity


of the condition, medication may be prescribed to help
reduce symptoms of Selective Mutism. Talk to the childs
doctor is you have any queries or concerns about medication.

You can also help your child by being patient,


understanding and supportive. Be encouraging and
empathise with his or her challenges. Celebrate all small
successes and be positive.

If your child has not yet seen a doctor and you suspect that he is showing signs of Selective Mutism, you may raise your co
What Causes Selective Mutism? Treatment of children or adolescents with Selective Mutism involves a combination of methods a

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