ELECTIVE MUTE CHILDREN: PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND BACKGROUND FACTORS

Abstract

SUMMARY Twenty ‐four elective mute children were studied–this proved to be a rare condition, affecting slightly more girls than boys. They were compared with 84 speech‐retarded controles and 102 normal control children. The main findings in the case of the elective mute children were as follows. 1. Evidence of immaturity of development, particularly of speech, and an excess pf speech abnormalities. 2. A higher rate of behaviour problems, and high levels of enuresis and soiling. 3. In the majority of cases, an insidious development of excessive shyness from the earliest years of life. 4. Performance LQ. covering most ranges of ability, but with a significant excess in the lower ranges. 5. A high rate of Psychiatric disturbance in the families of elective mute children. 6. And, finally, on follow‐up, elective mutism proved to be a rather intractable condition.