ABSTRACT
Mutism is the inability or the unwillingness to speak. Although communicative intent may be present, the individual typically is devoid of any vocal utterances. Given this basic premise, there would appear to be several different kinds of mutism in children. One form of mutism might be mediated by neurological or biological factors, such as the mutism seen in children with profound hearing loss and deafness, profound mental retardation, and severe neuromuscular involvement. Another form of mutism involves more psychologically based factors in which the child refuses to speak, despite being quite capable of verbalizations. Although this form of mutism includes hysterical forms of mutism, which theoretically might arise from a traumatic emotional experience, these cases in children and adolescents tend to be extremely rare and directly tied to a specific traumatic event (Kolvin & Fundudis, 1981). Another type of mutism with a psychological basis is elective mutism. Children who are electively mute are typically quite capable of verbalizing, but they choose to talk only in circumscribed situations and/or with particular individuals.
