Treatment of selective mutism during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from practice

• Main Author: Aruta, John Jamir Benzon R *
• Format: Article
• Published: SAGE Publications 2022
• Subjects: RJ Pediatrics
• Online Access: http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/3110/; https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221102728
• Institution: Sunway University

Selective mutism is a childhood disorder involving a lack of speech in certain situations often due to traumatic or embarrassing social encounters (Viana et al., 2009). Treating selective mutism primarily entails exposure therapy and behavioral experiments, which capitalize on encouraging the clients to speak in feared social situations as a way to reduce anxiety (Catchpole et al., 2019; Furr et al., 2020; Valaparla et al., 2018). Given the social nature of selective mutism, its treatment must involve a social psychiatric perspective, which highlights the social precipitants of mental disorders, the social effects of mental disorders, and the social approach to prevention and treatment (Krupinski, 1992). However, the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in limited opportunities for socialization and posed several challenges in treating clients with selective mutism. Deriving from practice and evidence, I outline insights and recommendations for clinicians working with children and adolescents with selective mutism during the pandemic, with practical applications of the social psychiatric perspective.