Is selective mutism in the DSM 5?

Is selective mutism in the DSM 5?

Selective mutism falls within the category of Anxiety Disorders (APA, 2013, pp. 195–197). According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; APA, 2013, p.

Is selective mutism an anxiety disorder DSM 5?

The DSM-5 classifies Selective Mutism as an anxiety disorder. Children with Selective Mutism are frequently not diagnosed with the disorder until they enter school at around the age of five. The DSM-5 does not link Selective Mutism as the consequence of trauma, neglect or abuse.

Is selective mutism a learning disability?

Selective Mutism is not a Learning disability, Emotional disturbance, nor a Speech/Language impairment. A Selectively Mute student who displays any of these conditions would then have an additional and separate education need.

What is the best therapy for selective mutism?

Behavioral strategies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are the most widely supported therapeutic treatments for selective mutism. Using a wide variety of strategies aimed at reducing the anxiety beneath the behavior, these therapeutic interventions help kids learn to gradually engage in more speaking behaviors.

What is traumatic mutism?

Children with traumatic mutism usually develop mutism suddenly in all situations. An example would be a child who witnesses the death of a grandparent or other traumatic event, is unable to process the event, and becomes mute in all settings.

Can a teenager have selective mutism?

While selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder often associated with young children, teens and adults can also suffer from SM. In many cases, teens with SM have been struggling with anxiety for years.

How do you talk to a selective mute?

When interacting with a child with Selective Mutism, DO:

1. Allow for warm-up time.
2. Monitor the child’s body language.
3. Talk “around” the child at first with focus on parents or siblings.
4. Get down on the child’s level and focus on a prop.
5. Ask choice and direct questions to the child with focus on the prop.

What does selective mutism feel like?

A child or adult with selective mutism does not refuse or choose not to speak at certain times, they’re literally unable to speak. The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of panic, like a bad case of stage fright, and talking is impossible.

What is a selective mute?

Selective mutism is when a child can’t speak in certain settings, but can speak fine in others. For example, a child may not be able to speak at school, but can speak with no problem at home. It is called selective mutism because the child is only mute in select situations.

Do selective mutes talk?