Selective mutism: how a successful speech and language assessment really is possible.
A speech and language assessment of children with selective mutism is often difficult because these children are silent in most situations. In Australia, a study was designed to assess the children in their homes, the place where they usually speak. Five children who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association 1994) criteria for selective mutism participated in the study. Assessment included audio-taping extracts of the children's conversations with members of their family and the administration of a number of standardised speech and language tests. The study found that four of the five children had a communication disorder. This paper outlines these communication disorders and describes how a successful speech and language assessment of children with selective mutism is possible.
Cleator
H
H
School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Sydney, East Street, Lidcombe, New South Wales 2141, Australia.
Hand
L
L
D002648:Child; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D009155:Mutism / Q000209:etiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013065:Speech Intelligibility