Selective mutism among second-graders in elementary school

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of selective mutism among second graders in elementary school, and examined related issues such as the situations in which the children refuse to speak, their performance level at school, and some temperamental/behavioural characteristics of these children. Method: A definition of selective mutism (according to the DSM- III-R) was sent to all second grade teachers in the study area, asking them if there were any children with these symptoms in their class. If a positive answer, the teacher was asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning the child. Results: The prevalence rate for selective mutism was found to be 2%, with girls outnumbering boys. Selective mutism had been in progress more than a year in most cases. Most often, the children refused to speak to the teacher (58%), and one-fifth spoke to nobody at school. One-third of the mute children were performing at a lower level than average. Fewer of these children were reluctant to speak to the teacher than were mute children with an average or higher than average performance level. The children were characterized as shy, withdrawn and serious, with only some being hyperactive or aggressive. About one third of the children had had contact with health services. Received: 10 May 1996 Accepted: 17 April 1997