Eating Disorders: Selective Mutism

Friday 19 October 2012

Selective Mutism

Particularly in young children, SM can sometimes be confused with an autism spectrum disorder, especially if the child acts particularly withdrawn around his or her diagnostician, which can lead to incorrect treatment. Although autistic people may also be selectively mute, they display other behaviors—hand flapping, repetitive behaviors, social isolation even among family members (not always answering to name, for example)—that set them apart from a child with selective mutism. People with higher-functioning autism may be selectively mute due to anxiety in social situations that they do not fully understand. If mutism is entirely due to autism spectrum disorder, it cannot be diagnosed as selective mutism as stated in the last item on the list above. Selective mutism may co-exist with or cause the child to appear to have Attention Deficit Disorder. Many people with the inattentive form of ADHD show little or no interest in other people primarily. People with inattentive ADHD may appear to be "space cadets" or "out in their own world", and may be slower to respond to social stimuli. Children with selective mutism, especially when they have severe social anxiety, may also look like this. Also, they might be distracted by their anxiety or by sensory input, if they are highly sensitive, or from the task at hand.