Academic Scientific JournalsLinguistic-communicative aspects of the schooling difficulties of children with selective mutism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26881/ndps.2024.52.07Keywords:
selective mutism, school difficulties of children with mutism, anxiety disorders, support for children with mutism, selective mutism at schoolAbstract
Verbal communication is a fundamental skill that not only facilitates the acquisition of knowledge, but also supports the student's social, emotional and educational development. Children with selective mutism have the ability to communicate verbally but avoid doing so in certain situations, most often those involving pressure to speak. As a result of these problems, they often experience school difficulties in various aspects, and achieve lower educational results than their knowledge and skills would allow.
The inability to speak in certain circumstances belongs to the spectrum of anxiety disorders. The onset of selective mutism symptoms in early childhood can impair further development and adversely affect a child's educational achievement. This text discusses the nature of the child's language and communication difficulties that may result from mutism. The specifics of the school difficulties of a child with selective mutism are characterised, particularly in terms of activities involving, but not limited to, the need to use verbal communication. The need for multi-method support for students with mutism in educational settings was emphasised, as they have difficulty participating fully and actively in the educational process.
Attention was drawn to the need to adapt the school environment and educational approach. It was emphasised that speech therapy, behavioural therapy and psychological support within the school setting can help to develop communication and anxiety management skills in children with mutism.
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