Gail Kervatt
Selective mutism is a complex psychological disorder with an unknown origin. Generally, it is called shyness for several years until a child enters school and does not function verbally in school and most social situations outside of school. Parents and teachers become very concerned and seek further assistance and diagnosis. These children have the ability to speak and understand language, develop age appropriate skills, and function normally at home with most family members. However, if the behavior lasts for a period of time, it becomes a learned pattern and is quite difficult to overcome, because the longer a child is silent, the more entrenched the behavior becomes. Most school personnel do not have the expertise or experience to deal with a child having this disorder which is caused by anxiety and avoidance. The numbers of children identified who are suffering with the disorder have risen sharply in the past few years. School interventions have proven to be difficult partially due to teacher and administrator lack of knowledge and materials, fear, and inexperience. These children quickly learn to use avoidance techniques, as do their teachers, and to use the school environment to accommodate this debilitating condition. Thus, nonsupportive schools who avoid an intervention begin to do unjust harm to these children. It is evident that teachers who discover a selectively mute child in their classroom do want to help. However, it appears, they have a very difficult time finding research based strategies and a format that can be used in a sequential order within the school setting. I hope that I have given you some needed information so that these children do not continue to suffer in silence.