Specifics of the process of psychological assessment of a child with selective mutism: Case study

Abstract

Selective mutism is a relatively rare anxiety disorder, expressed in the inability for verbal communication in specific situations, despite the otherwise good speech abilities. It can lead to an expressed social dysfunction and very often children at school are not able to reveal their potential and are ignored and their needs neglected. With age, the traits of the disorder become more sustainable and resistant which necessitates their early identification and involvement of the children in the relevant therapeutic interventions. The interventions themselves are only efficient when based on the potential and abilities of the specific child, for the purpose of which a psychological assessment is necessary. The present article presents the specifics of the process of psychological assessment of a girl with SM.