Mutism is a type of impaired communication ability characterized by
loss of speech in a variety of situations. In practice, this means that the
child cannot speak in certain situations, in certain places or with certain
people.
It should be noted that at other times their speech is perfectly
sufficient and normal. It most often affects children of preschool or younger
school age.
Why (not) talk about it?
We
often encounter cases where parents are embarrassed or afraid to talk about the
problems that touch their child. Mutism is no exception. Parents are
particularly concerned that the fact that the child does not speak may be
related to his intellect. But the opposite is true. Mutism has nothing to do
with intelligence; on the contrary, even children who are ahead of their peers
can suffer from it. This is not about speech therapy or organic problem, but a
psychogenic one.
Possible
causes include shock or a traumatic experience. A common trigger is also a change
of environment - moving, changing schools, death of a loved one. Generally,
quiet, withdrawn and shy children are more inclined to it, but this is not a
requirement.
Mutism
is best treated if caught early. So it is best not to remain silent and to
address the situation early. If it is not caught early, there is a risk that
your child will get used to not talking and silence will become a way of life.
There is no silence like silence
It
is important to say that not every silence necessarily means the first signs of
mutism. Sometimes our children don't speak simply because they are shy, tired
or just don't feel like it.
We
can only start thinking about mutism when we know that there are situations
where our child communicates in a habitual way and there is a noticeable
difference between familiar and unfamiliar environments. It is also necessary
for these difficulties to persist for at least four weeks. If you are still
unsure, it is not a bad idea to consult the teaching staff who spend the most
time with your child. If you agree together that your child has sufficiently
developed social communication skills, but for some reason is unable to apply
them in different situations, it's a good idea to see a specialist.
Below, you can browse through profiles of psychologists who have experience in the field of this communication disorders.
How can I help as a parent?
From
the beginning, it is good to remain calm and approach the child with great
patience. Overcoming mutism is a difficult and long-lasting process. On the
contrary, the biggest mistake would be to blame or punish the child for the
"silence".
No
one knows their children better than their parents. That is why you can help
discover the cause of your child's silence. Try to be very receptive when such
children try to communicate with us. Sometimes asking the right question may
help. The question which can be answered with a yes-no answer, or just a nod or
shake of the head. We can also gradually try quiet whispers for communication,
as loud conversation is stressful for the child. For any active communication,
the child should be praised. Approbation promotes self-esteem and gives the
child more confidence to express himself.
Is there any prevention?
The
answer is simple - yes. Through appropriate child handling practices, we can
prevent mutism in children. These include, above all, a balanced home
atmosphere and a suitable parenting style that both parents agree on and adhere
to. We should give the child feelings of security, unconditional acceptance and
love. Avoid instructions such as "tell", as the commanding manner may
cause the child to have a negative attitude towards verbal expression. If there
has been a major life change, we should facilitate the child's adaptation to
the new environment and accordingly discuss the situation with him or her.
Explain to him what is happening and why and let him express his opinion and feelings.
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