Selective mutism: a population-based study: a research note.
Seven-year-olds to 15-year-olds in 2 school districts of Göteborg, Sweden, were screened for selective mutism by their teachers and follow-up was achieved for a full school year. Three girls and 2 boys met DSM-IV criteria for selective mutism and a further 25 had a combination of shyness and reticence that did not amount to clinical disorder. The rate of typical selective mutism was 18 in 10,000 children. Shyness/reticence occurred in 89 in 10,000 children. Selective mutism was more common than suggested by earlier studies. Teachers of school age children need to be better informed about its existence.
Kopp
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S
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Gillberg
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C
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009155:Mutism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012792:Shyness; D012931:Social Environment; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology