Selective mutism: Understanding silent children

The silence within, a practical guide by Gail Kervatt

Selective mutism: When children are silent

by Reiner Bahr

Although the term selective mutism was coined in Switzerland (by TRAMER 1934, then called elecitve mutism) research on this subject has become rare in the German speaking countries. But it has grown a little in the past ten years, and my book Schweigende Kinder verstehen (Understanding silent children), 3rd., revised edition 2002, will soon be followed by a practical guide for parents, teachers and therapists: Wenn Kinder schweigen (When children are silent), available February 2002.

I'd like to explain selective mutism as follows:

Selective mutism is a meaningful way of coping for some children and adolescents. It is a form of communicative disengagement. Children with selective mutism anticipate low self efficacy concerning their communicative abilities. Selective mutism mostly sets on in early childhood: Some of the children are born with risk factors, there are signs of increased vulnerability corresponding to low resilience. I found out, that the experience of separation seems to be a major stress factor. Attachment to the mother is usually tight, but can as well be insecure. In many cases I found deviant forms of sensory adaptation in early childhood (motor and/or perception disorders).

When selective mutism has become a manifest disorder, its maintenance corresponds to the environment's incapacity of getting in touch with these children and adolescents. Teachers for example build up inconsequent patterns of reinforcement so that the selective mutism becomes a form of "learned helplessness" (SELIGMAN) while social anxiety is permanently present.

From an educational speech-language-pathologist's viewpoint, intervention should try to establish a systemic perspective, based on a mindfull attitude. I want to understand silent children and adolescents out of their life context. Educational selective mutism therapy consists of anxiety reducing play with the child, including the attempt to build up a communicative network. It should be accompanied by counseling of parents, siblings, teachers and other relevant people. I call this approach an interactional perspective in the frame of a supporting educational atmosphere, in a climate of mutual esteem.

If you are able to read in German, you'll find many case reports in my book:

Reiner Bahr (2002): Schweigende Kinder verstehen. Kommunikation und Bewaeltigung beim selektiven Mutismus. 3. Aufl., Heidelberg: Universitätsverlag Winter, ISBN: 3-8253-8292-3, 265pp., Euro 25.00

New: My practical guide will be out in February 2002:

Reiner Bahr (2002): Wenn Kinder schweigen. Redehemmungen verstehen und behandeln. Ein Praxisbuch. Düsseldorf: Walter im Patmos Verlagshaus, ISBN: 3-530-42164-2, 160 pp., Euro 14.90

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Thank you for reading this page! Dr. Reiner Bahr /Germany

posted: April 1998 / last updated: January 08, 2002