![]() Hesitation in responding (including nonverbally).Physical discontent sitting close to or near others.Social withdrawal/playing alone or not at all.Within the classroom, a child with sensory difficulties may demonstrate one or more of the following symptoms: Oversensitivity to sounds, lights and/or smells (sounds are the most common sensitivity).For example, they will indicate another child pushed them when they were only gently nudged. Tendency to misinterpret touch in the classroom.They often pull out tags from their clothes and prefer elastic band pants compared to buttoned pants.Oversensitivity to being touched by fabrics, hair washing and brushing, hugging, hand-holding, etc.Typical symptoms of children with SM who have sensory challenges present with: They may appear like a “deer-in-headlights.” In these situations, children with Selective Mutism tend to “shut down,” avoid interacting, freeze, and become mute. As anxiety increases, the child may actually feel fear. the classroom setting), a child may have difficulty processing sensory input. In larger, more crowded environments where multiple stimuli are present (e.g. Thus, SPD can be an underlying reason for mute behavior. ![]() Research from the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) indicates many children who present with Selective Mutism also have sensory sensitivities and meet the criteria for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). ![]() These children are usually innately temperamentally inhibited but the additional stress and insecurity of having to learn another language can cause an increased anxiety level and ultimately mutism. Many come from bi- or multilingual families, have spent time in a foreign country, and/or have been exposed to another language during their formative language development years (2-4-years old). Some children with Selective Mutism may have subtle learning disabilities including auditory processing disorders. This leads to an acquired expressive language disorder, primarily in narrative speech, because they aren’t participating in the typical responding-and-initiating of a conversation in social environments or where the use of more complex language is expected such as in school. Our research shows that as children age and remain mute or minimally verbal, their ability to express themselves is compromised. birthday parties, school, family gatherings, routine errands, etc.Īpproximately 30% of children with SM have subtle speech and/or language abnormalities such as language delays. As a result, symptoms of Selective Mutism are most prevalent in social settings, e.g. Studies show that individuals with inhibited temperaments are more prone to anxiety than those without. separation anxiety, excessive tantrums and crying, moodiness and inflexibility, problems sleeping, and extreme shyness from infancy on.Ĭhildren with SM often have severely inhibited temperaments. They frequently show signs of severe anxiety, e.g. Most children with Selective Mutism have a genetic predisposition to anxiety. Your loved one with Selective Mutism and/or Social Communication Anxiety developed this disorder and remains “stuck” from one or more contributing factors.įree webinar: What is Selective Mutism & How Do We Treat it? A major component of S-CAT® is understanding that every child/teen is different therefore, an individualized treatment plan needs to be developed that incorporates the child’s/teen’s unique needs, and home (parent education and environmental changes) and school modifications (teacher education and appropriate accommodations/interventions). Our globally successful, evidence-based treatment approach, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), is grounded in the understanding that Selective Mutism is so much more than just not speaking in social settings.
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