Can selective mutism be caused by trauma?

Can selective mutism be caused by trauma?

Studies have shown no evidence that the cause of Selective Mutism is related to abuse, neglect or trauma. What is the difference between Selective Mutism and traumatic mutism? Children who suffer from Selective Mutism speak in at least one setting and are rarely mute in all settings.

Can a traumatic event cause muteness?

Some of the causes of psychogenic mutism may be general anxiety or past trauma. For example, a child who is learning to speak might stop speaking if he or she is molested or threatened.

What is the root cause of selective mutism?

There are several risk factors for selective mutism, all of which play a key role in the development of the disorder. These factors include a family history of anxiety, speech issues, language problems, and a tendency to avoid unfamiliar settings.

Can a child recover from selective mutism?

Can kids grow out of SM? Experts don’t know how many children with selective mutism will grow out of the disorder. But what we do know is that treating it becomes much harder the older a child is, so it is extremely important not to put off treatment.

How do you make a selective mute talk?

How to Help a Child with Selective Mutism in the Classroom: 9…

1. Accept nonverbal communication at first.
2. Avoid questions at first and ease into one-sided spoken communication.
3. Ask forced-choice questions and give specific praise.
4. Avoid mind-reading and reinforce speech, not gestures.

How do you support a selective mute?

When interacting with a child with Selective Mutism, DO:

1. Allow for warm-up time.
2. Monitor the child’s body language.
3. Talk “around” the child at first with focus on parents or siblings.
4. Get down on the child’s level and focus on a prop.
5. Ask choice and direct questions to the child with focus on the prop.

How do you fix selective mutism?

Behavioral strategies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are the most widely supported therapeutic treatments for selective mutism. Using a wide variety of strategies aimed at reducing the anxiety beneath the behavior, these therapeutic interventions help kids learn to gradually engage in more speaking behaviors.

What maintains selective mutism?

Within the nonmedication-based or psychotherapeutic approaches, psychodynamic therapy, behavioral therapy, and family therapy are among the most common. Within medication-based options, selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (fluoxetine in particular) have been shown to improve mutism and anxiety.

What does selective mutism feel like?

A child or adult with selective mutism does not refuse or choose not to speak at certain times, they’re literally unable to speak. The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of panic, like a bad case of stage fright, and talking is impossible.

Is selective mute a disability?

Selective Mutism is not a Learning disability, Emotional disturbance, nor a Speech/Language impairment. A Selectively Mute student who displays any of these conditions would then have an additional and separate education need.

Do selective mutes talk?

Is selective mutism rare?

Selective mutism is a rare psychiatric condition primarily occurring during childhood. It is characterized by the failure to speak in certain social situations. The ability to speak and understand spoken language is not impaired, and may be exhibited in more familiar environments.