Elective (selective) mutism

Abstract

Elective or selective mutism (Latin mu¯tus, speechless, silent) is categorized by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10; World Health Organisation 1996), as one of the disorders of social functioning with onset specific to childhood and adolescence (F94). Biological constitution (inhibited temperament), model learning, cultural change, and difficulties of language acquisition are regarded as risk factors. A familial disposition is postulated, as selectively mute children and adolescents, in comparison with healthy controls, are significantly more likely to have noticeably introverted relatives who are more insecure, themselves sufferers of selective mutism, or are pathologically anxious. The families are generally characterized by higher levels of psychopathological abnormalities.