Selective mutism: A review and integration of the last 15 years

    Authors

    A. G. Viana; D. C. Beidel;B. Rabian

    Comments

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    Abstract

    Selective mutism (SM) is a Fare Childhood disorder characterized by a lack of speech in one or more settings in which speaking is socially expected. A comprehensive and uniform theory about the etiology, assessment, and treatment of SM does not exist. Historically, varying definitions and criteria have been applied to children with SM, therefore making comparisons between stitches somewhat difficult. Accumulating findings oil the phenomenology of SM point to a complex and multidetermined etiology. Developmental psychopathology represents a useful heuristic for conceptualization of SM and serves as an integrative framework for organizing the sometimes disparate findings that permeate the SM literature. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature On SM. including phenomenology, assessment, and treatment, with the main goals of clarifying its clinical presentation, offering a theoretical Understanding of SM from a developmental psychopathology perspective, and highlighting both research and practice gaps that may exist. Recommendations for future research are made with the goal of expanding the current knowledge base oil the etiology of SM. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Clinical Psychology Review

    Volume

    29

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    First Page

    57

    Last Page

    67

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000262821300005

    ISSN

    0272-7358

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