Selective mutism is characterized by a persistent lack of speech in some social situations but not in others. One of the most common settings where selective mutism occurs is the school. This article reviews some of the published literature regarding the causes, assessment, and treatment of selective mutism in school-age children. The most successful treatments have included various forms or combinations of behavior modification. However, a strict behavioral approach may not be the best method to use, offering only the illusion of success while underlying problems may still remain.
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