Practical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of selective mutism.
OBJECTIVE
To provide practical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of children with selective mutism, in light of the recent hypothesis that selective mutism might be best conceptualized as a childhood anxiety disorder.


METHODS
An extensive literature review was completed on the phenomenology, evaluation, and treatment of children with selective mutism. Additional recommendations were based on clinical experience from the authors' selective mutism clinic.


RESULTS
No systematic studies of the phenomenology of children with selective mutism were found. Reports described diverse and primarily noncontrolled treatment approaches with minimal follow-up information. Assessment and treatment options for selective mutism are presented, based on new hypotheses that focus on the anxiety component of this disorder. Ongoing research suggests a role for behavior modification and pharmacotherapy similar to the approaches used for adults with social phobia.


CONCLUSIONS
Selectively mute children deserve a comprehensive evaluation to identify primary and comorbid problems that might require treatment. A school-based multidisciplinary individualized treatment plan is recommended, involving the combined effort of teachers, clinicians, and parents with home- and clinic-based interventions (individual and family psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy) as required.
Dow
S P
SP
Section on Behavioral Pediatrics, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1600, USA.
Sonies
B C
BC
Scheib
D
D
Moss
S E
SE
Leonard
H L
HL
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009155:Mutism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012931:Social Environment