What makes a mute

And I thought it would be appriciated if I listed more information about each type of mute, so I looked into their awareness websites and learned a lot more. What makes a person mute? There are multiple causes for someone to become mute. Listed below are some, other than no vocal cord, reasonings. This completely depends on what type of roleplay you are.

But I do believe it could be found common in a person who is mentally ill. Mute [noun] is when a person has no power of speech. Selective Mute [noun] is when a person has no power of speech in certian situation, and is most ofter found in children.

In some cases, the person cannot hear you, therefore is unable to make out sounds and learn to speak. In other cases, the person has witnessed something so tramatizing in life that they cannot speak. Some children have trouble processing sensory information such as loud noise and jostling from crowds — a condition known as sensory integration dysfunction. This can make them "shut down" and be unable to speak when overwhelmed in a busy environment.

Again, their anxiety can transfer to other people in that environment. There's no evidence to suggest that children with selective mutism are more likely to have experienced abuse, neglect or trauma than any other child. When mutism occurs as a symptom of post-traumatic stress , it follows a very different pattern and the child suddenly stops talking in environments where they previously had no difficulty.

However, this type of speech withdrawal may lead to selective mutism if the triggers are not addressed and the child develops a more general anxiety about communication. Another misconception is that a child with selective mutism is controlling or manipulative, or has autism. There's no relationship between selective mutism and autism, although a child may have both. Left untreated, selective mutism can lead to isolation, low self-esteem and social anxiety disorder.

It can continue into adolescence and adulthood if not managed. A child can successfully overcome selective mutism if it's diagnosed at an early age and appropriately managed. It's important for selective mutism to be recognised early by families and schools so they can work together to reduce a child's anxiety.

Staff in early years settings and schools may receive training so they're able to provide appropriate support. If you suspect your child has selective mutism and help is not available, or there are additional concerns — for example, the child struggles to understand instructions or follow routines — seek a formal diagnosis from a qualified speech and language therapist.

You can contact a speech and language therapy clinic directly or speak to a health visitor or GP, who can refer you. Do not accept the opinion that your child will grow out of it or they are "just shy". Older children may also need to see a mental health professional or school educational psychologist.

The clinician may initially want to talk to you without your child present, so you can speak freely about any anxieties you have about your child's development or behaviour. They'll want to find out whether there's a history of anxiety disorders in the family, and whether anything is causing distress, such as a disrupted routine or difficulty learning a second language.

They'll also look at behavioural characteristics and take a full medical history. A person with selective mutism may not be able to speak during their assessment, but the clinician should be prepared for this and be willing to find another way to communicate.

For example, they may encourage a child with selective mutism to communicate through their parents, or suggest that older children or adults write down their responses or use a computer.

It's possible for adults to overcome selective mutism, although they may continue to experience the psychological and practical effects of spending years without social interaction or not being able to reach their academic or occupational potential. Adults will ideally be seen by a mental health professional with access to support from a speech and language therapist or another knowledgeable professional.

Selective mutism is diagnosed according to specific guidelines. These include observations about the person concerned as outlined:. A child with selective mutism will often have other fears and social anxieties , and they may also have additional speech and language difficulties. They're often wary of doing anything that draws attention to them because they think that by doing so, people will expect them to talk. For example, a child may not do their best in class after seeing other children being asked to read out good work, or they may be afraid to change their routine in case this provokes comments or questions.

Many have a general fear of making mistakes. Accidents and urinary infections may result from being unable to ask to use the toilet and holding on for hours at a time. School-aged children may avoid eating and drinking throughout the day so they do not need to excuse themselves. Children may have difficulty with homework assignments or certain topics because they're unable to ask questions in class. Teenagers may not develop independence because they're afraid to leave the house unaccompanied.

And adults may lack qualifications because they're unable to participate in college life or subsequent interviews. With appropriate handling and treatment, most children are able to overcome selective mutism.

But the older they are when the condition is diagnosed, the longer it will take. Treatment does not focus on the speaking itself, but reducing the anxiety associated with speaking. This starts by removing pressure on the person to speak. They should then gradually progress from relaxing in their school, nursery or social setting, to saying single words and sentences to one person, before eventually being able to speak freely to all people in all settings.

By the 14th century, the term was being used to describe a "person who does not speak," according to Etymonline. The associations of identifying individuals as silent makes this term offensive due to both inaccuracy and the implications of being without a voice. The National Association of the Deaf provides this clarification in the context of the term "deaf-mute":.

This label is technically inaccurate, since deaf and hard of hearing people generally have functioning vocal chords. The challenge lies with the fact that to successfully modulate your voice, you generally need to be able to hear your own voice.

Again, because deaf and hard of hearing people use various methods of communication other than or in addition to using their voices, they are not truly mute.