Key Findings:
- SM is significantly associated with social anxiety, autistic features, and behavioral inhibition.
- Social anxiety and autistic features independently contribute to SM, but their impact diminishes when behavioral inhibition is considered.
- Behavioral inhibition plays a crucial role in the non-speaking behavior of young children.
Implications for Practitioners:
- Assess social anxiety levels: Given the strong link between SM and social anxiety, it's important to evaluate and address social anxiety symptoms in children with SM.
- Consider autism-related features: Autistic traits, especially communication and interaction difficulties, can contribute to SM. Understanding these traits can help tailor interventions.
- Focus on behavioral inhibition: This temperament trait is a key predictor of SM. Interventions that reduce behavioral inhibition may prevent or mitigate SM.
Encouraging Further Research:Understanding the multifactorial origins of SM can improve treatment outcomes. School therapists should stay updated on research and consider conducting or participating in studies to further explore the relationships between SM, social anxiety, autistic features, and behavioral inhibition.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Symptoms of Selective Mutism in Non-clinical 3- to 6-Year-Old Children: Relations With Social Anxiety, Autistic Features, and Behavioral Inhibition.
Remember, every child is unique, and understanding their individual needs is the key to helping them thrive.
