Selective Mutism Intervention and Treatment Methods Comparison

Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis study is to review the treatment research for children with Selective Mutism. Selective Mutism is a rare disorder commonly diagnosed in children entering school. It is often defined as the consistent lack of speech in social setting where speech is expected. This study analyzed intervention strategies used in treating Selective Mutism and established which interventions were significant. The intervention types analyzed were stimulus fading, contingency management, shaping, self-modeling, and pharmacological treatment. This study tested effect sizes for the following intervention characteristics: age of participants, duration of the intervention, and number of intervention sessions. The results from this study indicated that all five treatments were small to moderately significant. More research on selective mutism is warranted. Implications for practice and research are discussed.