Selective Mutism: What It Is And What Causes It

Selective mutism is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of DSM-5 Mental Disorders . The definition is: “a child who usually has sufficient communication skills, but who only communicates in certain environments”.

The main characterization of this disorder is that the child refuses to speak in certain environments or situations. For example, they can talk when they are around the family, but they do not talk at school or in front of strangers.

Why is this happening? What makes children dumb in certain contexts? In this article, you will learn some of the reasons why this can happen.

Selective mutism in children

Selective mutism is more common in boys than in girls. It occurs at an early age  and it deserves special attention since it can cause a lot of suffering.

A person who is afraid of spiders cannot help but run away or scream when they see them. Similarly, a child suffering from selective mutism can do nothing to keep them quiet. The reason is that selective mutism probably has to do with anxiety. However, this is not entirely clear, as there are few cases.

Iván Carabaño Aguado, a pediatrician at the University Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, points out that selective mutism is “a type of anxiety disorder that can be inherited and can be compared to extreme embarrassment”.

Mutism is only considered a disorder in cases where it lasts for more than a month. According to Carabaño, mutism is actually sometimes present in adulthood, which can cause serious problems.

Mutism that extends to adulthood can create limitations and barriers in all degrees, both when you meet people and when you try to get a job.

Factors that predispose children to suffer from this disorder

Selective mutism: A guide for detection, evaluation and early intervention in schools is a guide developed by the behavioral module of the Special Needs Resource Center in Navarre (CREENA). It discusses some of the factors that can predispose a child to suffer from this disorder:

• Personality Traits : Children are more prone to this disorder if they are very shy or withdrawn
• Lack of learning : Some examples may be stuttering, a slight delay in language, speech or lack of social skills.
• Family environment : If there is a model of avoidance at home and a parenting style where one or both parents are overprotective or authoritarian, the child may develop selective mutism.
• School environment : An authoritarian or condescending teacher who favors unhealthy competition and makes fun of a child may increase the likelihood that the child has selective mutism.

You should also always consider possible traumatic events that could cause someone to suffer from this disorder. If you suspect that your child may have selective mutism, you should take them to a professional.

You should never punish, scold or believe a child who is in a situation where they do not want to talk. This will only aggravate the symptoms. You must understand and treat them with love. Also encourage them to associate with children they do not know and help them strengthen their friendships.