Selective Mutism: How To Help Children Who Do Not Speak?

He selective mutism It is a disorder that is characterized by the person losing speech or verbal ability even though they have the ability to converse. It generally affects children and develops during their preschool years.

The daily life of the little ones can be full of endless socialization situations, moments in which it is not always easy to relate to the environment or with other people. Any type of criticism, misunderstanding or ridicule is capable of leading to a lack of attention or even the child stopping talking, which in the most extreme cases can become a disorder. On the other hand, many people do not detect this type of selective mutism in time and end up thinking that it is a case of extreme shyness. In this article we are going to see what is the selective mutism what are the causes, symptoms and how to treat this selective silence.

What is selective mutism?

This childhood disorder It causes the child to lose speech in certain contexts, although he is capable of doing so in others, generally at home or with his parents, where he feels safe. Selective mutism in children usually comes from the child’s exposure to a situation of stress, nervousness or anxiety. His response to such stimuli is based on silence and mutism, two singularities that are sometimes also accompanied by a certain shyness that increases in these types of circumstances. Just because he doesn’t say a word doesn’t mean that the little one has lost his communicative skills but it cannot make them effective.

The modifications of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association includes for the first time the selective mutism as a childhood anxiety disorder. In this way we can say that mutism and its meaning are closely related to a type of psychological condition that can be seen through this attitude on the part of children.

Selective mutism or extreme shyness?

It is sometimes difficult for parents to know what the differences between selective mutism and extreme shyness While shy children find it difficult to talk to strangers or in new environments, they usually get used to it and feel more comfortable as the hours go by. In addition, they tend to answer simple questions, although it is difficult for them to overcome their shyness.

When children have infantile mutism, this type of situation generates a great deal of anxiety. social anxiety and they are not silent because they do not want to talk, they do not want to bother or because they are embarrassed to interact, but because they do not feel capable of doing so. This leads them to isolate themselves and avoid interactions with other people. In this way we can find that in cases where a 3-year-old child does not speak or a 4-year-old child does not speak (which are common ages for suffering from it), we may be dealing with a child who suffers from elective mutism.

What is not selective mutism?

In addition to shyness, infantile mutism It can be confused with other problems and you may even think that this disorder is influenced by the will of the minor, when this is not the case. To dispel myths, the Child Mind Institute of the United States clarifies doubts about What selective mutism is not

• There is a misconception that children who do not speak have been traumatized or abused Although the cause may be post-traumatic stress disorder, there is no evidence that the two are always related.
• They do not have speech or language learning problems although many may have them after these episodes.
• It comes from anxiety and social inhibition but not from anger or manipulation. It is not a form of rebellion.
• This mess It has nothing to do with autism, although in some behaviors they may be similar. Children with an autism spectrum disorder lack social and communication skills and those affected by selective mutism do have them, but they are not able to carry them out.

Causes of elective mutism in children

Once the medical cause has been ruled out, it must be clarified that the causes of selective mutism are psychological due to the presence of anxiety related to social phobia. The child is terrified of being judged and experiences stage fright when getting together with other people or in places where he does not feel safe, such as in the classroom. It has also been observed that there is a genetic predisposition, since experts say that you are more likely to suffer from this disorder if your parents have suffered from anxiety when they were young. Although this condition on the infantile mutism It is usually quite rare to suffer from, there are still not enough studies that fully understand it. According to some research, selective mutism in children may be related to the following causes:

1. Anxiety: On some occasions, when there is childhood selective mutism It may indicate that our child is suffering from an anxiety disorder. This type of disease is difficult to detect in children, since many people do not expect that children can suffer from it.
2. Depression: In the same way as with anxiety, infantile mutism and the fading of stimulating speech in children may be indicating depression.
3. Developmental delays: Sometimes this type of selective mutism It may not be related to a psychological problem, but rather to a delay in the development of our children. In these cases, we children can only help them by encouraging their progress, but without pressuring them.
4. Language problems: On certain occasions when you suffer from a elective mutism, there is a possibility that the person may have some problems with language. In this way, this extreme shyness comes from the shame that children feel when speaking in front of others.
5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): There is some evidence that links selective mutism in children with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
6. Panic disorder: Irrational fear in children is very difficult to detect, since in most cases it is seen as normal concerns in children. But when this panic is obsessive and happens very regularly, it can lead to a disorder. So much so that sometimes the elective mutism may indicate this type of disease.

These are the main causes why there may be a case of childhood mutism. Even so, there are other, more minor reasons why a child could suffer from these cases of selective mutism.

Symptoms of this disorder

In order to begin to talk about a true disorder, selective mutism must meet some symptoms that we detail below:

1. It should last at least a month although it is true that this may be prolonged as the school year progresses.
2. You can talk and even be totally sociable at home, but completely silent in the classroom, with other children or with strangers.
3. Not being able to communicate makes them isolate themselves and not following learning correctly at school, in addition to hindering other social skills.
4. He appears afraid and paralyzed and you can express it with facial expressions or avoiding eye contact, for example. Some children cannot even transmit with non-verbal language.

If you detect that your child is suffering from many of these symptoms of selective mutism it is vital to consult with a professional psychologist to help you as soon as possible.

How to treat childhood selective mutism

There are some methods with which we can help overcome the selective mutism that a child can suffer from. Among the most recommended by psychologists we can find the following.

1. Family support: To treat childhood mutism, family support is very important, also involving the child’s closest environment, always avoiding overprotection. You must offer them the safest environment possible, with love and understanding towards their situation. Likewise, it is necessary to appear calm and trust in him and in the resolution of his situation, which will cause him to feel calmer and less pressured.
2. Don’t force him: It is counterproductive to demand that he speak, constantly insist with questions regarding his problem or compare him with other minors. This will only increase anxiety and prolong the disorder. To advance in the improvement of childhood selective mutism You can try accompanying the child to talk with other children, starting with the adult, communication; Another option is to plan activities that require interaction with other people in a gentle and non-invasive way, such as in one’s own home where he feels protected. In this way, selective mutism and its treatment are closely related to establishing a good environment for the development of children.
3. Join forces with teachers: In these cases, to know how to treat selective mutism, it is very important to active communication with the classroom and your teacher to coordinate the form of action. The CCOO Education Federation of Andalusia issued a statement Intervention in cases of selective mutism in children in which educators are explained how to act. It focuses on promoting group dynamics, assigning small responsibilities to the child, proposing activities that involve physical contact, with non-verbal communication and sounds, and applying relaxation techniques, among others.
4. Choose activities that suit your abilities: One of the first mistakes that parents can make is to try to encourage speech through activities that are complicated or in line with the level ‘they should have’. In order to leave this behind selective mutism It is essential to adapt the activities so that children feel comfortable in them. That is, they must be at your level or suitable for your linguistic abilities.

If all these tips for selective mutism and its treatment are not enough, it is important, in order not to worsen the situation, have the help of a professional an expert in child or adolescent psychology or even with a psychiatrist, who will know how to apply the appropriate psychological intervention that each patient needs.

Games to improve childhood selective mutism

Some examples of games that can be used to improve selective mutism:

• Games that do not involve conversations such as ludo or goose or drawing can be a good start to interact between children.
• Incorporate mime games or games in which you have to respond using sounds such as clapping or gestures. Games that require speaking into your ear can also be useful.
• Another technique used is based on the use of audio and video recording methods, allowing children to observe themselves and become familiar with their speech again.
• Carry out theater activities in which you have to learn a script and not use your own words. Masked speech games, in which you hide behind puppets or characters, can also work.

Finally, it should be noted that every step of the minor in his silence