title: [Selective mutism].
abstract: Selective mutism is an uncommon disorder in young children, in which they selectively don't speak in certain social situations, while being capable of speaking easily in other social situations. Many etiologies were proposed for selective mutism including psychodynamic, behavioral and familial etc. A developmental etiology that includes insights from all the above is gaining support. Accordingly, mild language impairment in a child with an anxiety trait may be at the root of developing selective mutism. The behavior will be reinforced by an avoidant pattern in the family. Early treatment and followup for children with selective mutism is important. The treatment includes non-pharmacological therapy (psychodynamic, behavioral and familial) and pharmacologic therapy--mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
authors: Pediatric Neurology Department, Child Development Institute, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. omnebene@gmail.com
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ytzhak
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Doron
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Lahat
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Livne
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D009155:Mutism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014705:Verbal Behavior
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors