Selective Mutism Group~Childhood Anxiety Network Speaking Out for Our Children Top Ten Myths About Selective Mutism

Although it was first described 125 years ago (and labeled aphasis voluntaria at that time by a German doctor, Kussmaul), relatively little has been studied or written about the childhood anxiety disorder now known as selective mutism. In reading through the sparse body of literature in textbooks and journals, it is not difficult to see why so many selectively mute children are being misdiagnosed and receiving inadequate or inappropriate therapy. Unfortunately, many inaccurate theories about the cause and basis of selective mutism have gained acceptance among medical and educational professionals in spite of the lack of supportive evidence. In the vacuum of inadequate research, it seems that these myths have arisen to fill the void of true knowledge and understanding. Because many of the older theories about selective mutism are currently contributing to the confusion and inappropriate treatment of children with this disorder, this article is an attempt to debunk the following myths. Myth #1: Selective mutism is extremely rare. The most recent study showed a prevalence rate for Selective Mutism of 7.1 per 1,000 children (Bergman, 2002). Older surveys ranged from 0.08 %, or 0.8 per 1,000 (Fundudis, 1979 ), to 1.8 per 1,000 children (Browne, 1979). Variation may be due to the methods of surveying used, the age of the children in the sample population, or inadequate recognition of symptoms by parents, medical, and educational professionals. Lack of knowledge about selective mutism leads to many of these children being labeled as “just shy” or misdiagnosed as autistic, so that any reports of the number of cases are likely to be falsely low. Even the lower estimates show that SM is more common than other childhood disorders