CSAD 147 TEST 3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. What is selective mutism?- Answer - An anxiety-based communication disorder of childhood
characterized by an inability to speak in some settings, despite an ability to speak in other settings
2. What are other characteristics of selective mutism?- Answer - - Fear-based
- Associated with a physiological response in the brain that signals danger
- Associated with family history of anxiety disorders
- May or may NOT occur with another deficit
- Onset is usually between 3-6 years of age
- Occurs equally across ethnic populations
- MORE common among bilingual and immigrant children
- MORE common among females
- MORE common with children who are HIGHLY sensitive, shy, timid, perfectionistic, controlling, or bossy
- MORE common among children with ABOVE average intelligence
- May think his or her voice is unpleasant or scary
- It is NOT extreme shyness, stubborness, or defiance
- It is NOT a result of neglect or trauma
- Will NOT naturally outgrow selective mutism
3. What are the 5 main features of selective mutism?- Answer - 1. A consistent failure to speak
in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking
2. The failure to speak interferes with educational and occupational achievement or social communication
3. The behavior lasts for AT LEAST one month, NOT counting the first month of school or of a new setting
4. The failure to speak is NOT due to lack of proficiency or comfort with the language
5. The behavior is NOT better explained by another disorder
,4. What are behaviors associated with selective mutism?- Answer - - Using gestures
- Drawing or writing
- Whispering
- Using ONLY single words or short phrases
- Adopting an altered voice
- Using language ONLY certain people in the environment understand
- Speaking through an intermediary with whispering
5. What are strategies used by individuals with selective mutism to escape or
avoid fear-inducing speaking situations?- Answer - - Physically leaving the speaking
situation
- Freezing in place as if invisible
, - Averting eye contact
- Growing long bangs to cover face
- Hiding
- Clinging to parent
- Crying
- Refusing to get dressed for school or other activity
- Throwing tantrums
- Refusing invites to social events
- Acquiring a psychosomatic illness
6. What are.2 negative reinforcement models of selective mutism?- Answer - 1.
The child anticipates a peaking situation or is prompted to speak, the child feels anxious and avoids the speaking
situation, the speaking situation is postponed or eased, and the child's avoidance behavior is reinforced
2. The child is prompted to speak, the child feels anxious and does NOT speak, the child is "rescued" by someone else, the
expectation to speak is alleviated, and the child's avoidance behavior is reinforced
7. What is Theory of Mind?- Answer - - The ability to understand that people engage in mental practices
separate
from our own mental processes
- "Reading another's mind"
8. Individuals with what 2 diagnoses have delays and deficits in the develop-
ment of ToM?- Answer - 1. ASD
2. Social communication disorder (SCD)
9. What are 2 ToM milestones for a 3 y/o?- Answer - 1. Predicts uncomplicated behaviors or
situations
2. Identifies basic emotions and links them to events and situations
10. What are 2 ToM milestones for a 5 y/o?- Answer - 1. Understands that people can hold false
1. What is selective mutism?- Answer - An anxiety-based communication disorder of childhood
characterized by an inability to speak in some settings, despite an ability to speak in other settings
2. What are other characteristics of selective mutism?- Answer - - Fear-based
- Associated with a physiological response in the brain that signals danger
- Associated with family history of anxiety disorders
- May or may NOT occur with another deficit
- Onset is usually between 3-6 years of age
- Occurs equally across ethnic populations
- MORE common among bilingual and immigrant children
- MORE common among females
- MORE common with children who are HIGHLY sensitive, shy, timid, perfectionistic, controlling, or bossy
- MORE common among children with ABOVE average intelligence
- May think his or her voice is unpleasant or scary
- It is NOT extreme shyness, stubborness, or defiance
- It is NOT a result of neglect or trauma
- Will NOT naturally outgrow selective mutism
3. What are the 5 main features of selective mutism?- Answer - 1. A consistent failure to speak
in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking
2. The failure to speak interferes with educational and occupational achievement or social communication
3. The behavior lasts for AT LEAST one month, NOT counting the first month of school or of a new setting
4. The failure to speak is NOT due to lack of proficiency or comfort with the language
5. The behavior is NOT better explained by another disorder
,4. What are behaviors associated with selective mutism?- Answer - - Using gestures
- Drawing or writing
- Whispering
- Using ONLY single words or short phrases
- Adopting an altered voice
- Using language ONLY certain people in the environment understand
- Speaking through an intermediary with whispering
5. What are strategies used by individuals with selective mutism to escape or
avoid fear-inducing speaking situations?- Answer - - Physically leaving the speaking
situation
- Freezing in place as if invisible
, - Averting eye contact
- Growing long bangs to cover face
- Hiding
- Clinging to parent
- Crying
- Refusing to get dressed for school or other activity
- Throwing tantrums
- Refusing invites to social events
- Acquiring a psychosomatic illness
6. What are.2 negative reinforcement models of selective mutism?- Answer - 1.
The child anticipates a peaking situation or is prompted to speak, the child feels anxious and avoids the speaking
situation, the speaking situation is postponed or eased, and the child's avoidance behavior is reinforced
2. The child is prompted to speak, the child feels anxious and does NOT speak, the child is "rescued" by someone else, the
expectation to speak is alleviated, and the child's avoidance behavior is reinforced
7. What is Theory of Mind?- Answer - - The ability to understand that people engage in mental practices
separate
from our own mental processes
- "Reading another's mind"
8. Individuals with what 2 diagnoses have delays and deficits in the develop-
ment of ToM?- Answer - 1. ASD
2. Social communication disorder (SCD)
9. What are 2 ToM milestones for a 3 y/o?- Answer - 1. Predicts uncomplicated behaviors or
situations
2. Identifies basic emotions and links them to events and situations
10. What are 2 ToM milestones for a 5 y/o?- Answer - 1. Understands that people can hold false
